British tanks ready to roll into Ukraine
BRITAIN is poised to send its powerful battle tanks to the Ukrainian frontline for the first time – in a major show of support against Russian forces.
Previously, supplying the vehicles to the Ukrainians had been rejected because it was feared such a step might dangerously escalate the conflict.
But, with the war entering a new phase, as many as ten Challenger 2 main battle tanks could be sent.
The tank, which has a crew of four, has been in service with the British Army for 25 years and was used in the Gulf War. It has a 120mm main gun with a range of two miles. It also has a top speed of around 40mph and a range of around 200 miles.
The US, France and Germany have also pledged to provide Ukraine with armoured fighting vehicles.
America is expected to send 100 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, or IFVs.
France is supplying AMX armoured reconnaissance vehicles and Germany around 40 Marder IFVs.
The latest packages of support are expected to be signed off at a Nato meeting on January 20. In recent weeks Russian defences have been destroyed by US- supplied long-range missiles such as HIMARS.
The provision of armoured vehicles capable of taking the fight to the Russians on the ground is seen as the logical next step.
Kyiv has been pleading for such additions to its army for some time. UK defence sources hope the move could convince partners such as Germany and the US to follow suit.
There has been a huge political debate in Germany over whether to gift Leopard II tanks to Ukraine, which would offer greater firepower than the Marder IFV. The US could also send some of its Abrams tanks. Both are powerful main battle tanks and comparable to the Challenger 2.
The UK currently has 227 Challenger 2s. The size of the fleet is expected to be cut as the tank is nearing the end of its lifecycle. Only 148 have been earmarked for modernisation.
The Ministry of Defence said: ‘The Government has committed to match or exceed last year’s funding for military aid to Ukraine in 2023, and we will continue to build on recent donations with training and further gifting of equipment.
‘ We have provided over 200 armoured vehicles to date – including Stormer vehicles armed with Starstreak missiles. We have also donated tens of thousands of items including helmets and body armour, mobility and logistics vehicles, anti-tank weapons, air defence missiles and systems, winter and medical equipment.’ Russia condemned the West’s packages of support, describing the move as ‘irresponsible’. Foreign ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova said Nato risks prolonging the conflict, and a direct military confrontation with Russia.
It is hoped the British tanks and those donated by other nations, arrive in time for a major offensive by Ukrainian forces pencilled in for March. The precise timing will be dictated by ground conditions.
That leaves two months for the political debate in the UK and Europe to be settled, for the tanks to be readied and for Ukrainian crews to be trained on vehicles they have never seen before.
Britain has provided £2.3billion in military aid to Ukraine, the most of any European nation and second only to the United States.