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As of: 01/12/2023 4:58 p.m
Next week, further weapons for Ukraine are to be negotiated again in Ramstein. The delivery of battle tanks is in the foreground. Which country has which types – and which concerns?
Germany
The German government is under pressure. More and more countries are declaring their willingness to deliver “Leopard 2” tanks to Ukraine. There are also demands from the opposition to support these deliveries. Because Germany, as the manufacturer of the “Leopard 2” tanks, has a crucial role to play.
No German “Leopard 2” tank can be delivered to Ukraine without the green light from Berlin, where a decision is made on whether to transfer it. According to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, “a sensible and effective arms export control is only possible if it is guaranteed that the armaments supplied remain with the recipient in the recipient country and do not reach other recipients and/or other countries without the permission of the Federal Republic of Germany – for example by being resold by the recipient .”
Together with the USA and France, the federal government recently announced the prospect of western-style tanks for the first time. So far, however, the federal government has promised the delivery of 40 “Marder” armored personnel carriers. According to the definition of the Bundestag, they are not battle tanks.
Image: Björn Trotsky / IMAGO
According to the manufacturer, 3500 pieces were delivered worldwide. The Bundeswehr itself has a target stock of 320 “Leopard 2A7V” main battle tanks for 2025, but has even given up all older models such as the 2A4 version. For reasons of military security, however, they do not want to provide more detailed information on strengths, equipment of associations or units, said an army spokesman ARD-Inquiry.
Poland
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda recently pushed ahead and announced that he would make “Leopard 2” main battle tanks available to Ukraine. Duda had said his country had made the decision, as part of a coalition with allies, to give the Ukrainians “Leopard” main battle tanks for a company. A company is usually equipped with 14 main battle tanks. On the one hand, a prerequisite is “a whole series of formal requirements and approvals”. On the other hand, Poland wanted an international coalition to be formed to which other countries would also contribute battle tanks. Poland would also need permission from Germany.
Spain
Spain still has stocks of the older “Leopard 2A4” model and is considered a possible European partner in a joint delivery. In addition to Poland or Finland. However, even Spain could not hand over its specimens of the tank to Ukraine without the permission of the manufacturing country Germany.
Great Britain
According to media reports, London is considering the delivery of “Challenger 2” main battle tanks. The British government hinted at an initiative. “It is clear that main battle tanks could bring crucial capabilities to the Ukrainians and the Prime Minister told President Zelenskyy last week that Britain will provide what it can,” said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
The British “Challenger 2” is comparable to the German “Leopard” main battle tank, the American “Abrams” or the French “Leclerc”.
Image: picture alliance / Joe Giddens/P
Britain will accelerate support and provide Ukraine with “the kind of military technology that will help win the war.” However, a final decision has not yet been made, a government spokesman said. He declined to comment on whether London is in talks with Berlin about the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sweden
Sweden also has Leopard 2 tanks. There are models adapted to Swedish needs, which are called “Stridsvagn 121” and “Stridsvagn 122”. According to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the decision on the delivery of “Leopard 2” tanks from Europe to Ukraine should be clarified in a few weeks.
The Leopard 2 tanks customized for Sweden are called Stridsvagn 121 and Stridsvagn 122.
Image: picture alliance / TT NYHETSBYR?
Each country will now try to make decisions about what it can achieve. The needs of one’s own armed forces and “of course the regulations and decisions that depend on partners in these specific weapon systems” must be taken into account. Kristersson did not say whether his government would consider handing over some tanks to Ukraine.
USA
The United States announced last week that it would also provide 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles as part of the latest arms deliveries to Ukraine. They are expected to arrive in Ukraine in the coming weeks. The American counterpart to the German “Leopard 2” would be the “M1 Abrams”.
The US M1 Abrams main battle tank has not yet been delivered to Ukraine.
Image: REUTERS
Main battle tanks were developed primarily for fighting other main battle tanks. The “Leopard 2” is considered one of the best battle tanks in the world. It is technically superior to older models from the Soviet era. As with all weapon systems, it depends not only on the basic technical data but also on the right use – this was also shown by the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
It is not yet known whether, in addition to the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, American Abrams main battle tanks will also be delivered to Ukraine.