Croatia to buy German-made Leopard tanks

Croatia is set to purchase 44 German-made Leopard tanks, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday after a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković in Berlin.

Plenković said the tanks, manufactured by defence company KNDS, are to be delivered to Zagreb over the next few years.

Merz said the significance of the purchase goes far beyond the military and material value of the Leopard 2 A8 tanks.

"We need to work together much more closely in the European Union, including on harmonizing systems," the chancellor said.

EU-wide efforts are needed to reduce the number of systems while producing as many units as possible, he said, adding that the procurement of military equipment should also be looked at.

European countries are investing heavily in rearming in response to the Russian war in Ukraine.