The United Kingdom is considering sending heavy tanks to Ukraine

British media reported that the United Kingdom is considering sending black tanks to Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion. These will be the British Army’s Challenger 2 tanks.

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Talks have been going on for a few weeks now about supplying some Challenger 2 main battle tanks of the British Army to the Ukrainian armed forces. A Western source familiar with the talks told Sky News. Such a move would represent a significant increase in Western support for Ukraine and could encourage other NATO allies, especially Germany, to follow suit.

Light tanks

A similar dynamic has recently emerged around light tanks. After France agreed to send, Germany and the United States soon followed suit. Rishi Sunak’s government has not yet made a final decision, but if the United Kingdom signs on such a handover, it will become the first country to respond to the calls of Ukrainian leaders to equip their army with powerful Western tanks.

On January 20, about 50 Western countries will hold a meeting on military support to Ukraine. The announcement is expected to be made in light of the meeting of the so-called contact group. The UK can provide about 10 Challenger 2 tanks. By itself, the situation at the front will not be reflected immediately, but the provision of heavy tanks will be an important change. Until now, Western countries were very afraid of starting to “escalate” the conflict. Ukraine could well use German Leopard tanks.

Germany hesitates

Several countries have already indicated their willingness to supply these tanks, but Berlin must first grant permission. However, the progressive government led by Olaf Schultz is on the brakes. However, Germany also appears to have recently begun to change gear in terms of aid to Ukraine, agreeing to send light tanks. Over the weekend, the economy minister said Berlin could not rule out deliveries of Leopard tanks, which are combat vehicles heavier than Mardier tanks. But a German government spokesman said on Monday it had no plans to send tanks.

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The British are currently officially monitoring the use of Challenger 2 tanks. A spokesperson said: “The government is committed to matching or exceeding last year’s funding for military aid to Ukraine in 2023, and we will continue to build on recent donations with training and further donations of equipment.”

Russia said on Monday that new shipments of Western weapons to Kyiv would “increase the suffering of the Ukrainian people” and would not change the course of the conflict.

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