This is the German Leopard, which Ukraine has repeatedly demanded.
Ukraine has long been asking its Western partners to send modern heavy tanks for the Armed Forces. Negotiations are currently ongoing for the supply of various models with several countries, but the best option would be the German Leopard.
Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military expert of the “Information Resistance” group, shared this opinion in a commentary for “RBK-Ukraine”. He stated: “The largest number of tanks that are present in Europe and that it would be logistically appropriate to send to Ukraine, as well as in the future to carry out their maintenance, repair and supply of ammunition, is Leopard. First of all, Leopard 2. What modification do we need? In in our case, I do not rule out that deliveries will begin with A4.”
Kovalenko recalled how Poland sent the first tanks to Ukraine. Those were Soviet T-72s. Recently, the Czech Republic took a similar step, but Ukraine has not yet received Western-style tanks.
The expert emphasized that the Armed Forces need Leopard 2, which has managed to prove itself well over the years of use as a reliable and effective combat vehicle. German tanks, along with Abrams and Challenger, were used in various conflicts, for example, in the Persian Gulf and Iraq. They were battle-tested and upgraded based on that experience.
“But there is a big “but”, and this is the position of the German government. If Olaf Scholz does not support, we will not receive these tanks from any country. I will remind you that Spain intended to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to us back in 2022, but then Berlin blocked this is an aspiration,” Kovalenko added.
The expert called the Leclerc the most modern tank, but its supply to Ukraine is impractical due to the small number and logistical difficulties. But there are more than 2,000 units of Leopard 2 throughout Europe.
Leopard tanks for Ukraine: the latest information
After Germany agreed to send the Marder BMP for the Armed Forces, active discussions about the supply of heavy tanks began. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that his country “will not do it alone.”
According to German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, the supply of tanks to Ukraine “cannot be ruled out.”
As Politico reported, Poland and France are pushing Germany to hand over tanks. They want to reach a decision from Berlin ahead of the Franco-German summit on January 22.
The Polish government reported that Warsaw will be able to transfer several dozen Leopard tanks to the coalition with other countries. You should not count on more, since Poland has only 240 units of this equipment.
