Exploiting Russian troubles
London delivers 14 main battle tanks to Ukraine
01/15/2023 02:53 am
The British government is convinced that the Russian army’s morale and ammunition are dwindling. That’s why she wants to deliver the first 14 western tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible – and to encourage allies like Germany to pick up the pace as well.
In the coming weeks, Great Britain plans to provide Ukraine with 14 “Challenger 2” type battle tanks. That shared the government in London late in the evening with The UK defense and security authorities see an opportunity to act as Russia “is on the defensive due to supply shortages and dwindling morale (of its troops).” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak therefore wanted to “encourage allies” to launch their support for Ukraine planned for 2023 “as soon as possible in order to achieve maximum effect”. Ukrainian soldiers should be trained to use the device in the coming days.
On Friday next week, the defense ministers of Ukraine’s western allies will discuss further military support for the country attacked by Russia at the US air base Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Great Britain announced on Saturday afternoon – initially without giving specific figures – that it would hand over some of its “Challenger” main battle tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. Poland and Finland have agreed to supply “Leopard” tanks in the European network. The federal government has not yet taken a position on this. So far, Ukraine has not received any Western-style main battle tanks, only Soviet models from the stocks of Eastern European NATO countries.
Details will follow on Monday
Ukraine has long been demanding the delivery of the German Leopard 2 tank, which is technically superior to Russian tanks and much more widespread than the Challenger 2. Apart from Great Britain, only the Gulf state of Oman has the British tank in its inventory so far. This makes it less attractive to Kyiv than the “Leopard”, which is used by 20 countries around the world, in view of possible suppliers and the availability of ammunition and spare parts.
In addition to the battle tanks, London also promised Ukraine “around 30” AS90 self-propelled howitzers. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace will explain the details of the project to Parliament on Monday, Downing Street said. According to this, training of the Ukrainian armed forces for the use of tanks and self-propelled howitzers should begin in the coming days.