These are now to be delivered to Ukraine.
(Photo: dpa)
London Britain will soon supply Ukraine with Challenger 2 main battle tanks. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed this in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday. Sunak left the exact number of tank deliveries open, but in London there is talk of about a dozen of the state-of-the-art Challenger 2.
The British commitment increases the pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz to act to help the Ukrainians with Leopard 2 tanks in the defensive war against the Russian invasion. Scholz had not yet made a commitment, also because battle tanks are considered offensive weapons. It is also unclear whether the Bundeswehr can do without Leopard 2 tanks in the short term.
However, after NATO allies like Poland have already promised to supply Leopard tanks, all eyes are now on Berlin. Developed in Germany, the Leopard is used by numerous European countries, but cannot be exported to the war zone without permission from Berlin. Because of its distribution, the leopard is considered particularly suitable for use in the Ukraine.
Britain will supply main battle tanks to Ukraine.
(Photo: via REUTERS)
A British government spokesman took the tank deliveries as a sign that Britain wanted to increase its military support for Ukraine. “The Prime Minister outlined Britain’s intention to step up our support to Ukraine, including the deployment of Challenger 2 tanks and additional artillery systems,” a government official at 10 Downing Street said. Support also came from the opposition Labor Party. Britain has provided military support to Ukraine earlier than other nations.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
Ukrainian President Zelensky thanked the British Prime Minister and stated that the decision to send the tanks “will not only strengthen us on the battlefield, but will also send the right signal to other partners”.
Meeting in Ramstein becomes a test case
Britain’s commitment had been expected but was not due to be announced until next Friday at the Ukraine Contact Group meeting in Ramstein. There Scholz now has to explain his course in the tank debate. The Chancellor had previously justified his reluctance with the fact that the delivery of battle tanks had to be closely coordinated with the allies. They have now increased the pressure on Berlin.
More: Why does Ukraine want the German Leopard 2? The most important answers