Battle nations heavy chemical tank7/14/2023 It is not clear yet how quickly any tanks would arrive. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has suggested Poland could send Leopard tanks to Ukraine without Germany’s blessing. Finland said it is not opposed to shipments.īut countries cannot send the tanks without Germany’s approval as they are supplied under a German licence. Poland has expressed willingness to send 14 Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of an international coalition. However, pressure has been mounting on Germany and it has been put in a difficult position. Germany has been reluctant to provide the tanks to Ukraine because of the anti-militarism position it adopted after World War II. The last four models produced are still in use – from the 2A4 to the 2A7. They also provide “all-round protection” for troops from threats such as mines, anti-tank fire, and improvised explosive devices, according to the manufacturer. The tanks are armed with a 120mm smoothbore cannon and can move at speeds of up to 70 kilometres (44 miles) per hour with a range of 500km (310 miles). Leopard 2 is “sort of like the Golf of the German tank industry: an all-rounder with world recognition”, according to the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.Ībout 3,500 of the 60-tonne battle tanks, developed by German weapons manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), have been produced. Leopard was first produced in the late 1970s to replace the American M48 Patton and soon became renowned for its firepower, mobility, and sturdy armour. (Al Jazeera) Why are the Leopards so coveted? Leopard 2 tanks are considered one of the best-performing models worldwide and are widely used across Europe. The United States and its allies failed to agree to supply the coveted German battle tanks to Ukraine at a meeting on Friday, as Russia continued to issue threats the conflict may escalate in Europe. But Kyiv has pleaded for more advanced military equipment to get the upper hand in the fight against Russia. Germany is under intense pressure to provide Ukraine with its Leopard 2 tanks, which could have a significant impact against the Russian invasion.Įuropean allies have already sent hundreds of modernised Soviet tanks to Ukraine since the war started nearly 11 months ago.
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