After intense pressure from Nato allies, Germany has confirmed it will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in a major sign of support for Kyiv. Germany's contribution is matched by the United States.
The announcement by Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday came in sync with an announcement from US President Joe Biden that he plans to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
The US has previously resisted sending heavy Abrams tanks to Ukraine, citing the high fuel consumption, complicated maintenance and training required to operate these tanks.
The 31 US Abrams will form a complete Ukrainian tank battalion. “Abrams tanks are the best in the world. This is a tremendous new capability that Ukraine will be getting to boost its long term defenses,” a senior administration official said, noting that the tanks will be procured through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funding.
The US is also procuring eight M88 recovery vehicles, which will help “keep the Abrams tanks up and running.”
Germany will provide a company of 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks, with the training of the Ukrainian crews to begin shortly in Germany. In addition to training, the package will also include logistics, ammunition and maintenance of the systems.
The German defense minister Boris Pistorius said the Leopard tanks could be operational in Ukraine in about three months. The German army has 320 Leopard 2 tanks in its possession, but not all of them are battle ready.
Germany will also allow other countries to export the battle tank. Poland on Tuesday formally asked for approval from Germany to transfer some of its German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Several European countries also own some Leopards, including Finland, Norway, Netherlands and Spain.
Ukrainian officials have consistently pleaded with their Western allies to provide modern battle tanks – to be used not only to defend their present positions but also to take the fight to the enemy in the coming months. Ukrainians fear that a second Russian offensive may begin within two months.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki praised German Chancellor Scholz for his decision. “Thank you Olaf Scholz. The decision to send Leopards to Ukraine is a big step towards stopping Russia. Together we are stronger,” Morawiecki wrote on Twitter.
