UK urges Germany to donate Leopard tanks to Ukraine – POLITICO

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LONDON – The UK’s defense secretary has told MPs that Germany should agree to donate Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Ben Wallace confirmed in the House of Commons on Monday that the UK will send a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, as part of a larger package of military aid to the country.

The UK’s announcement comes after France pledged on Friday to send AMX-10 RC light battle tanks to Kyiv within two months.

Wallace praised France for this decision, and encouraged German ministers to follow suit by donating Leopard 2 tanks and authorizing third countries to do so as well. Defense ministers of Ukraine’s western allies are set to meet on Friday at the US base in Ramstein, in Germany, to discuss more military support for Kiev.

“After discussions with the United States and our European allies, it is hoped that the example set by the French and us will allow those countries that have Leopard tanks to donate as well,” Wallace said. “I know there are a number of countries that want to do the same – no one is doing it alone.

“I would urge my fellow Germans to do so. These tanks are not offensive when used in defensive tactics.”

Wallace said the latest package offered by the UK includes “hundreds” of other armored vehicles, including Bulldogs. maneuver support package including mine clearance capabilities; “dozens of unmanned aerial systems”; And another 100,000 artillery rounds.

Wallace said Russia had lost about 1,600 battle tanks since the start of the war and claimed it was using convict slave labor to manufacture weapons.

He described Russia’s appointment of Valery Gerasimov as chief of the general staff and deputy defense minister last week as “definitely important”.

“Putin appears to remain optimistic, and with Gerasimov’s absolute respect for the president, we now expect a trend toward a return to the Russian offensive regardless of the accompanying amount of loss of life,” he said.

Wallace said Ukrainian military personnel would be trained “on the spot” to operate tanks in the United Kingdom and other European countries, including Germany, but much of this formation training would be led by the United States.

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