Will Ukraine soon have Western-made heavy tanks? President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is persistently calling for this. This, he says, is the only way to change the course of this war and repel the Russian invasion.
The pressure is now on Germany, which produces the excellent Leopard 2 tank that many European armies are equipped with. They are waiting for the green light from the German chancellor to send them to the front. Why are these tanks so important for the Ukrainian army? Here are some answers.
Why does Ukraine need it so much?
His fleet so far consists only of these old Soviet-designed armored vehicles. However, whether it was the British Challenger, the German Leopard or the French Leclerc, the difference would be immediately noticeable.
“They are more durable, more armored, more inconspicuous,” says Emmanuel Dupuy of IPSE (Institute for Advanced Security in Europe), interviewed in the thread. “And they have an ability that Soviet tanks don’t have, namely drive much faster, at speeds of 40 to 50 km/h, and be able to shoot while driving.” Enough to break through the front during a major offensive. Ukraine wants to take the Russian enemy by surprise by launching attacks like here in Donbass (Ukraine) before the end of winter or the beginning of spring.
Will this be a turning point in the war?
Yes, but for this it is necessary that the number of copies delivered is sufficient. “What Ukrainians have long and persistently demanded is not dozens of copies, but several hundred,” clarifies Emmanuel Dupuis.
Is France ready to go further with these heavy tanks?
The issue of quantity is important, since Germany produced its part with a circulation of 3,500 copies in 18 countries. In total, only 870 vehicles were produced in the country, of which 220 are currently equipping the army. Small stock, so few spare parts. It is on the side of Berlin that Ukraine is mostly waiting for the green light to tilt the war in its favor.
Source: TF1