Germany to send heavy tanks to Ukraine next month

This file photo taken on May 20, 2019 shows soldiers on a Leopard 2 A 7 main battle tank of the German armed forces Bundeswehr driving during an educational practice of the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force VJTF as part of the NATO tank unit at the military training area in Munster, northern Germany. Germany approved the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on January 25, 2023. PHOTO AFP BERLIN KYIV -- Germany announced plans on Wednesday to deliver heavy tanks to Ukraine and green-lighted requests from other countries to do so.

Germany will send an initial company of 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own stocks and approve shipments from allies who field them, with the aim of providing Ukraine with two battalions, typically comprising three-four companies each. Berlin would provide training, ammunition and maintenance.

This decision follows our established line of support for Ukraine to the best of our ability. Cancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that we are acting in a closely coordinated manner internationally.

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The Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that US tanks sent to Ukraine would burn like all the rest Twenty armies worldwide field Leopards, which Germany has made in their thousands. Poland and Finland pledged to follow them once Berlin agrees, and several other countries are expected to follow swiftly. Britain has already offered a company of its comparable challengers, and France is considering sending its Leclercs.

The allies pledged billions of dollars' worth of new military aid last week, but stopped short of sending the tanks.

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Hundreds of Western armoured fighting vehicles and troop carriers have been seen as more effective in attacking when combined with tanks to burst through enemy lines, according to the pledges of recent weeks.