Leopard 2 tank

2023 - 1 - 25

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Image courtesy of "CNBC"

Germany announces it will send 14 of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to ... (CNBC)

A German Army Leopard 2 A7V main battle tank stands on the training ground. Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images. Germany has announced that it is ...

"In reality, there are few systems that can provide the combination of fire, protection, and maneuver that a tank can ... "But it is important to see the reality: it is not about five, or ten, or fifteen tanks. Watts, a nonresident senior fellow in the Forward Defense practice of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security said in emailed comments Wednesday. The decision to allow the export of German tanks to Ukraine comes after months of deliberation. Ukraine has coveted Leopard 2 tanks, which run on diesel, are relatively easy to maintain and are readily available from Ukraine's neighbors, such as Poland. had heeded Ukraine's call, agreeing earlier in January to send 14 of its own Challenger 2 tanks. Germany was also reportedly reluctant to deliver its own tanks unless the U.S. But it is also frustrated at the lengthy time it has often taken allies to approve weaponry provisions for Ukraine. Kyiv has repeatedly pleaded for tanks from its allies, arguing it needs them to defeat Russia, particularly to combat Moscow's anticipated spring offensives. Germany said its goal was to "quickly assemble two tank battalions with Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine. As a first step, Germany will supply a company with 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks. We are acting in a closely coordinated manner internationally," the chancellor said.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

German government approves delivery of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine (CNN)

The German government will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, it announced on Wednesday, following weeks of diplomatic pressure to make the move.

“The right decision by NATO Allies and friends to send main battle tanks to Ukraine. The UK had set the precedent for providing Ukraine with main battle tanks last week after it pledged to send Kyiv 14 of its British Army Challenger 2 tanks. Germany had indicated to the US last week that it would not send its Leopard tanks unless the US also agreed to send its own M1 Abrams tanks. Sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine will provide Kyiv’s forces with a modern and powerful military vehicle ahead of a potential Russian spring offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff welcomed the news and reiterated the country needed “a lot” of Leopard tanks. Although Ukraine has stocks of Soviet-era tanks, modern Western tanks provide a greater level of speed and agility. The goal is to assemble two tank battalions with Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine, the government statement said. Together, we are accelerating our efforts to ensure Ukraine wins this war and secures a lasting peace,” Sunak wrote on Twitter. Boris Pistorius, speaking to reporters Wednesday, said training would come first, then the tanks would be sent east. In addition to training, the package will also include logistics, ammunition and maintenance of the systems. “This is the result of intensive consultations that took place with Germany’s closest European and international partners. Scholz told his Cabinet of his decision that Germany will further strengthen its military support for Ukraine, German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit said.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Germany agrees to send its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine after ... (NPR)

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday his country will export more than a dozen of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. The move follows weeks ...

Scholz has asserted throughout the nearly 11-month Russian invasion of Ukraine that Germany is already and its European allies were wrong to think the tanks would influence the outcome of the war. Anything else would be irresponsible in such a dangerous situation," the [He wrote on Telegram](https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/4890) that Germany's donation of the tanks pave the way for Ukraine's western partners to supply similar weapons. "This is an overestimation of the potential that this will add to the Ukrainian army." But according to a "Two, he's had a lot of pressure within his own party about getting dragged into the war. "I'm sure that many specialists understand the absurdity of this idea. Germany will also authorize other countries that have their own stocks of Leopard 2 tanks to export them to Ukraine. "Ladies and gentleman, that is the right principle. [Forsa survey](https://www.n-tv.de/politik/46-Prozent-fuer-Lieferung-von-Kampfpanzern-article23850376.html) last week, German public support for supplying battle tanks to Ukraine grew to its highest level ever: 46% of those polled are in favor of delivering Leopard tanks and the same percentage is against it. One reason "is because there has not really been a clear majority in the German electorate electorate for sending tanks," said Sudha David-Wilp, who heads the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

Will Leopard 2 tanks actually boost Ukraine's battlefield chances? (Financial Times)

Leopard 2s would ideally be deployed alongside armoured infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery, air defence systems, and electronic warfare. This ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Why Germany delayed sending Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine (BBC News)

Ukraine's argument for wanting battle tanks is clear. It insists they can make all the difference - helping to push Russia back from Ukrainian territory and ...

Even the use of nuclear weapons. A real break with Berlin's post World War Two timidity and preference for allies to lead in security matters. was the slogan shouted at regular demonstrations outside the German parliament, while inside the debate to send, or not to send tanks, raged amongst German MPs. "Free the Leopards!" And Germany owns all the export licenses for them. They lacked the green re-export light from Berlin.

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Image courtesy of "Reuters"

Explainer: Why has Ukraine sought Leopard 2 battle tanks? (Reuters)

Germany has agreed to send its Leopard 2 tank to Ukraine and allowed other countries using the German-built tank to re-export them, responding to months of ...

France has said it was considering sending its Leclerc tank, which has a 120 mm smooth bore gun, saying all options are on the table. Operating a large number of one model would make it easier for Ukraine to train crew and manage maintenance. Germany's defence industry is banned by law from producing them for stock-keeping. One advantage of the Leopard 2 tank is that, as well as being one of the best tanks in the West's arsenal, it is also one of the most widely used. At the same time, it is all but impossible to buy a large amount of Leopard 2 tanks quickly. Kyiv has been pushing for the Leopard 2 tank in particular because it has several advantages over the alternatives, such as Britain's Challenger 2 and the U.S.

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