Croatia receives Leopard 2 tanks, M-84 delivery for Ukraine still pending

Back in October last year, this Balkan country promised Ukraine the Yugoslav “clone” of the T-72. What progress has been made on fulfilling that pledge? Defense Express explained. 

During the military parade in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, on July 31, 2025, the appearance of the first Leopard 2A4 tanks in the Croatian Army was publicly confirmed. These tanks reportedly have a local designation: Leopard 2A4HRV.

The delivery of these tanks may serve as an “intermediate” step before the Croatian Armed Forces receive the more advanced Leopard 2A8. In turn, this once again raises the question whether official Zagreb will fulfill its pledge to transfer M-84 tanks — Yugoslavia’s version of the T-72M1 — to Ukraine under a “circular exchange” agreement. 

According to the Army Recognition media outlet, the Leopard 2A4 tanks seen during the parade were most likely transferred for training purposes and not intended for combat. It is believed that only two tanks of this type have been delivered.

These training vehicles, in turn, are expected to help prepare crews for the 50 Leopard 2A8 tanks already contracted, the first of which are set to be delivered to Croatia in 2027.

It’s worth recalling that Croatia had previously tried to purchase Leopards from Germany. Attempts were made in 2014 and 2015 — parallel to the acquisition of PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers — but the deal fell through due to financial constraints.

In October 2024, Croatia pledged under a “circular exchange” scheme with Germany to transfer 30 M-84 tanks and 30 M-80A IFVs to Ukraine.

In December 2024, a video appeared on social media that allegedly showed Croatian M-84 tanks being transported to Germany for repairs before being handed over to Ukraine.

However, to date, there has been no official confirmation that Ukraine has received these tanks.