Germany sends Leopard tanks to Ukraine
The decision has been made: Germany will supply Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. According to SPIEGEL, at least one company of Leopard 2A6s is involved.
According to the report, other allies, including those from Scandinavia, also want to supply Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. The German government wants to give permission to export such tanks, which are owned by other states such as Poland.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday afternoon that the U.S. is considering the delivery of Abrams main battle tanks in not insignificant numbers. France is also considering supplying battle tanks to Ukraine.
The German decision was apparently preceded by intensive consultations over several days with its allies, especially in Washington. Scholz had always stressed that he only wanted to supply battle tanks in cooperation with other nations such as the United States.
There had recently been reports of disagreements between Germany and the U.S. administration, about which Scholz had expressed internal anger.
According to SPIEGEL, the German Leopard tanks are to come from Bundeswehr stocks. In the medium to long term, additional main battle tanks from industry stocks could be prepared for deployment.
Recently, the Green Party and the FDP increased the pressure on Scholz to supply battle tanks to Ukraine. Only recently, the chancellor decided to provide Ukraine with Marder infantry fighting vehicles.
Author - Olena Madiak, 24/01/2023
