Germany has pledged to work with its allies to provide more than 100 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. It would greatly strengthen Ukraine’s ability to fight the invading Russian forces.
As a first step, Germany will provide 14 Leopard 2A6 vehicles owned by the Bundeswehr, the government said in a statement sent by email on Monday. According to Defense Minister Pistorius, the first tanks could arrive in Ukraine within three months. Defense officials have warned that a Russian offensive could begin as soon as next month, and it is highly unlikely that it will arrive in time.
Germany and its partners aim to provide a total of 112 vehicles, according to a statement, while Germany will also grant the necessary approvals for allied re-exports of the Leopard. Training will begin soon in Germany. It also provides logistics management, ammunition and maintenance management.
“This decision is in line with Germany’s well-known policy of supporting Ukraine to the best of its ability,” Scholz said in a statement. explained.
The Biden administration is expected to announce the delivery of the M1 Abrams, the main battle tank of the US military, to Ukraine as early as the 25th.
Ukraine has long sought the supply of heavy tanks, believing that Russia will step up its offensive as the winter ends. Germany, one of Ukraine’s biggest military and financial aides, has drawn criticism for its delay in deciding to supply and re-export Leopards.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that Ukraine’s allies had overestimated the impact of tanks in the war, calling it a “deep assumption.”
The Abrams and Leopard tanks offered to Ukraine will burn up like other tanks, he said in a conference call, TASS reported.
Poland filed a formal application with Germany on Thursday to approve the delivery of Leopards to Ukraine. Finland’s foreign minister, which borders Russia, reiterated on Monday that he was ready to participate “in some way” in the deal.
Original title:Germany to Boost Ukraine Firepower With Leopard Battle Tanks (1)、Germany to Boost Ukraine’s Firepower With Heavy Leopard 2 Tanks(excerpt)
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