Will Leopard 2 tanks be sent to Ukraine? News. Last Minute GERMANY, France, Netherlands, England, Russia headlines and events

BERLIN –

Defense ministers and chiefs of staff from over 50 NATO member countries met today at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

It was stated that the main topic of the meeting would be the provision of military assistance to Ukraine, including German Leopard 2 tanks and other battle tanks. At the meeting, significant progress was made on the supply of new weapons to Ukraine, but no final decision was made on German-made Leopard 2 tanks.

New German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said NATO allies had not yet reached an agreement on the issue, adding: “There are both good reasons for the delivery and counter reasons. Thus, while there is no consensus on which solution would be correct. “

However, Pistorius said he had instructed the Ministry of Defense to examine stockpiles in the German army’s warehouses. The minister, who took office yesterday, also announced that Germany would send €1 billion worth of additional equipment to further support Ukraine’s struggle.

Defense Secretary Austin said the meeting was very successful despite no decision being made on the Leopard issue, and that support for Ukraine will continue to build up. Regarding Germany’s reservations regarding the supply of Leopard tanks, Austin said: “Germany is one of the countries that has made the greatest contribution since the beginning of the war. They sent a large number of weapons. Ukrainian soldiers within their borders. It should not be forgotten that 39,000 people live in Germany. American soldiers and their families also live here. I believe that Germany will be a leading ally in support of Ukraine in the coming period. Moreover, we can all provide additional support.” At the conference, which was also attended by Minister of National Defense Akar, Austin called on allies and demanded further support for Ukraine’s fight against the war started by Russia.

“We are at a turning point in the war,” Austin said. “The Russian forces are in the process of regrouping, they are recruiting more soldiers and trying to rearm. Now is the time to step up our support, not slow it down.” “The Ukrainian people are looking at us. The Kremlin is looking at us, and history is looking at us. That is why the allies will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it is necessary for self-defense,” Austin said.

In a statement after the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “Germany is one of the allies that contributes the most to support Ukraine. In addition, Britain, France, Poland and other allies are supplying military tanks to Ukraine. , it is clear that which allies can send which systems. Consultations are ongoing,” he said.

Several NATO or EU member countries, including Poland and Finland, have offered to send Leopard tanks, which are in service with their army, to Ukraine. Since the Leopard 2 tanks are manufactured in Germany at the Rheinmetall plant, the legal transfer of German-made weapons to third parties must be approved by the Berlin government.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz refused to commit himself to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine on Wednesday in Davos. It became known that Scholz wanted the US to take the first step in this regard, and stipulated the transfer of American Abrams tanks to Ukraine in exchange for permission for the Leopards. However, it was also reported that the US does not plan to buy Abrams tanks.

On the other hand, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, speaking ahead of the Ramstein summit, said the US administration would provide Ukraine with an additional $2.5 billion in military aid.

Declaring that the United States has supplied Ukraine with weapons and equipment from the arsenals of the American army for the 30th time with a new aid package, Blinken said that 59 Bradley armored fighting vehicles, 90 Stryker-type armored vehicles, Avenger air defense systems and ammunition will be provided to Ukraine.

Which NATO member sends what?

The United States and its allies are ramping up armored support for Ukraine over fears that Russia will ramp up its attacks this spring. Here is the content of the military assistance to Ukraine announced by the NATO member countries point by point.

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Bradley Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle: Armored vehicle with 25 mm armament capable of carrying three crew members and seven soldiers. The US plans to send 109 of these machines.

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS): A wheeled vehicle capable of launching multiple rockets. America plans to send 38 such systems.

M109A6 Paladin Motorized Howitzer: 155mm Ambush Resistant Mine Resistant Vehicle: A wheeled vehicle designed to disperse explosive impacts. The US plans to send 200 of these machines.

Stryker armored personnel carrier: US plans to send 90 units.

M113 armored personnel carrier: a wheeled vehicle with an anti-mine hull.

High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee): The US plans to ship 1,300 of these light four-wheeled vehicles, which are a staple of the US military.

GERMANY

Panzerhaubitze Howitzer: Germany plans to send 14 155 mm armored vehicles as part of a joint project with the Netherlands.

Zuzana Howitzer: Germany plans to send 16 155mm armored vehicles together with Denmark and Norway.

RCVH 155 Motorized Howitzer: Germany plans to send 18 units.

Marder Market Armored Vehicle: MILAN anti-tank ramp armored vehicle. By the end of March, it is planned to ship 40 units.

Mine Resistant Ambush Proof MRAP: Berlin plans to ship 50 units.

M113 armored personnel carrier: Berlin plans to send 54 units.

ENGLAND

Battle tank Challenger 2: 120 mm tank. It is planned to ship 14 units.

AS90 155 mm: Artillery gun. Initially, it will provide eight batteries.

Armored personnel carrier Bulldog FV432: the number is not yet clear.

FRANCE

AMX 10-RC: Armored combat vehicle. It has the profile of a tank, but with wheels. It is defined as a tank destroyer.

Caesar self-propelled howitzer: Paris sent 18 and plans to send more

POLAND

Leopard 2 Battle Tank: The most widely used German-made battle tank in the West. Warsaw said it was ready to send 14 Leopard tanks.

Battle tank T-72: Soviet-era battle tank is still used in the armies of some Eastern European countries. According to Polish media, Warsaw sent Ukraine more than 200 of these tanks.

Poland also supplied 42 infantry vehicles.

SLOVAKIA

Armored infantry vehicle BVP-1: light amphibious fighting vehicle. Slovakia sent 30 such vehicles to Ukraine.

SWEDEN

Archer Artillery System: Wheeled self-propelled artillery mount. The number is indefinite.

Model 90 Fighting Vehicle: Stockholm plans to ship 50 units.

DENMARK

Caesar plans to supply 19 self-propelled howitzers.

DO YOU HAVE

Armored personnel carrier Senator: Canada plans to ship 200 units.

HOLLAND

He plans to send a modern battle tank. However, the Netherlands, which leased 2 Leopard tanks from Germany, needs Berlin’s approval.

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