In another sign of deepening Western involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war, Britain and Poland recently revealed their intention to supply tanks to Ukraine. Once viewed with trepidation as a move towards general conflict with Russia, the decision reflects an increased risk tolerance among Western nations. Mint tells its importance.
In recent months, Western powers such as the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom have sent major military assets to Ukraine in their fight against Russia. The US supplied its Patriot missile defense system, while Germany agreed to send Ukraine its Marder infantry fighting vehicles.
However, reluctance to send some high-value military assets to Ukraine remains. Among these sensitive assets are tanks, especially Germany’s Leopard tanks.
After a series of successful offensives launched in September, Ukraine’s military campaign is locked in a standoff with Russian forces as winter sets in. To continue its momentum and push back the Russian army, Kyiv has requested about 300 tanks from its western counterparts. supporters to aid the war effort. Ukraine’s existing tank forces are mostly made up of older Soviet-era designs that are less effective than modern Western-built tanks.
While the UK has announced its intention to send its Challenger tanks to Ukraine, Kyiv is eyeing Germany’s Leopard tanks, which are used by several European armies. Poland, which has been a major supporter of Ukraine, has indicated a willingness to supply its German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
However, this could only happen with the approval of Berlin. Germany must consent to any re-export of its weapons technology before delivery can take place. This has increased the pressure on Berlin to approve the transfer of tanks to Ukraine.
However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far taken a cautious approach. Scholz sees the sending of the tanks as a provocation that could provoke a general conflict with Russia. In short, it may be the point of no return.
Reports indicate that Germany is looking to the Americans to show the way. Thus far, the US has also frozen the supply of its M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. However, US officials have recently indicated that they would welcome European-supplied tanks headed to Ukraine.
Germany has so far treaded cautiously. While it has supplied Ukraine with howitzers, missile defense systems and infantry fighting vehicles, it has done so after an extended period of deliberation and calculated risk-taking. While Germany pressed on each of the above mentioned military systems, it remains to be seen whether it will give the go-ahead for the supply of its tanks to Ukraine.
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