MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile confirms purchase of 118 Leopard II tanks

The Chilean Ministry of Defence confirmed Friday in Santiago the purchase of 118 German made Leopard II tanks, which will replace armored equipment from the Chilean Army

The new tanks will replace 131 Leopard I model which are to be decommissioned in the coming months, confirmed the Army in a short release.

The agreement was signed by Chilean and German authorities last February 10, but details were not made public on request from the German side.

In the last few years and taking advantage of the abundant funds generated by record price copper surpluses Chile has been renewing the three services equipment.

Besides tanks, the Chilean Navy acquired several British and Dutch frigates and two brand new conventional French-Spanish built submarines.

The Air Force is incorporating US built F 16 fighter bombers to replace several generations of French built Mirage.