Racing to provide tanks to Ukraine BID TO BOLSTER KYIV’S ARMY ‘AS OFFENSIVE LOOMS’
THE U.S. and its allies are in a race against time to get tanks to Ukraine — or face Europe being engulfed in war against Russia, experts have warned.
As Moscow prepares to launch an expected spring offensive against Kyiv’s troops, Germany has opened the doors to Leopard 2 tanks to reach Ukraine.
Berlin’s decision to send 14 of the deadly tanks to Ukraine means other western countries can follow suit with supplying Leopard 2’s.
The third generation Germanmade war machine is also used by countries such as Poland, which also want to help Ukraine by supplying Leopard 2’s.
Spain also said it will provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, as well as Finland and The Netherlands.
The total needed in the short term is 88 and hundreds more in the long-term.
Britain has pledged 14 Challenger II tanks will be sent and the US has promised a further 31
M1 Abrams tanks.
Armour
One military expert warned: “Ukraine is fighting on the ground and in a race against time to get armour to the frontline.
“Now is their moment — there is no time to lose.”
But Germany has held back its agreement to offer up the tanks for months and as the licence-holder delayed permission for others to supply the tanks.
It could take months to get the tanks to Ukraine and for western warfare experts to train its soldiers in how to use the Leopard 2’s. Germany said Ukraine will receive its Leopard II contribution in two months and NATO boss Jens Stoltenberg said: “Allies are focused on the importance of speed.” Experts warned NATO must act fast as Russian President Vladimir Putin ramps up his force’s strikes on Ukraine’s cities ahead of the one year anniversary of Moscow’s invasion on February 24.