In the world, there are more than two thousand units of these tanks in different modifications in 12 countries.
Since the beginning of Russia’s massive invasion of Ukraine, Germany has been denying Kyiv the Leopard 2 tank it requested under various pretexts. Berlin can share the burden of providing Ukraine with armored vehicles by creating an appropriate tank consortium with 12 partners, Zerkalo Nedeli writes with reference to the German Zeit.
“The German government must take the lead and, together with European partners, create a Consortium to support Ukraine. The more states that use these tanks join it, the less their migration will hit the defense capabilities of these countries,” the article said.
European Council on Foreign Relations (ECRR) analysts Gustav Gressel, Rafael Loss and Yana Pulierin recalled that the counteroffensive successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces increased the demand for new heavy weapons. And the de-occupation of the settlements depends on the supply of Western weapons.
Leopard 2 tanks, in addition to Germany, are used by twelve more European armies. In the world there are more than two thousand units of these tanks in various modifications. Not all of them are moving, but 90 vehicles are enough to form a combat-ready tank brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It will be possible to issue additional units of equipment through coordinated replenishment of existing stocks and joint repair of reserve equipment.
“The EU European Peace Fund (EPF) can reimburse participating countries for the cost of transferred tanks and thus finance their replacement with more modern options,” suggest the authors of the material.
The media analyzed Ukraine’s chances of acquiring German tanks
Political scientists call on the EU to support the development of maintenance and supply capacities in the immediate vicinity of Ukraine, as well as the training of Ukrainian tanks and repair teams.
The initiative to create the Consortium is related to the United States and NATO partners, experts are convinced. The supply of weapons and equipment to Ukraine is supported by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, while the United States prepares for long-term support for the warring country and sees Germany as its main European ally.
“Germany’s initiative will restore the trust lost in the last few months and provide a real contribution to the security of Europe and the right of Ukraine to choose its own future. The European Leopard tanks can make a decisive contribution to it,” the authors emphasize. .
The former commander of US forces in Europe, General Ben Hodges, positively assessed the German initiative. “The European Leopard Tank Consortium is a real innovation,” Hodges tweeted.
Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Gabrielius Landsbergis, after the news of hundreds of graves in the liberated Ukrainian Armed Forces Izyum near Kharkiv region, said that Ukraine needs tanks.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.