The UK plans to supply Ukraine with British tanks for the first time to fight invading Russian forces, according to Sky News.
Discussions have been taking place “over the past few weeks” over the delivery of a number of British Army Challenger 2 main battle tanks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a Western source familiar with the conversations said.
Such a move would mark a significant increase in Western support for Ukraine and could help spur other NATO allies, particularly Germany, to follow suit.
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“It would encourage others to donate tanks,” a Ukrainian source said.
No final decision has yet been made by Rishi Sunak’s government, but if the UK approves such a delivery, it would become the first country to respond to calls from Ukrainian leaders to equip their army with powerful Western tanks.
A US-led group of around 50 nations – including the UK – that provides military support to Ukraine is due to hold its next meeting on January 20. Any announcements of new assistance, such as tanks, could be made to coincide with the Contact Group meeting.
One source suggested that Britain could offer around 10 Challenger 2 tanks, enough to equip a squadron.
The source said that in itself would not be a game-changer, but would still be extremely important, as the move would break through a barrier that has so far prevented allies from offering Western tanks to Ukraine. , for fear of being considered too escalatorial by Russia.
This in turn could inspire other allies to do the same, sources said.
“It will be a good precedent to demonstrate [to] others – in Germany first, with their Leopards… and Abrams from the United States,” the Ukrainian source said.
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Germany more cautious
Ukraine has long requested the mass-produced Leopard II tanks in Germany, used by several European allies, including Germany, Poland, Finland, the Netherlands and Spain.
Warsaw and Helsinki have already signaled their willingness to supply their Leopard tanks to Kyiv, but this requires approval from Berlin as Germany holds the export license.
Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, has taken a more cautious approach to arming Ukraine than other countries like the UK and the US.
But he slowly increased his country’s aid.
US and Germany promise armored fighting vehicles
Berlin and Washington last week said in a joint statement that they would supply Ukraine with armored fighting vehicles in a major policy shift. For Germany, this means the Marder infantry fighting vehicle. For the United States, it includes the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
Over the weekend, the economy minister said Berlin could not rule out delivering Leopard tanks, which are heavier combat vehicles than the Marder. But a German government spokesman said on Monday it was not considering sending tanks.
The British Ministry of Defense has neither confirmed nor denied that the British government is considering supplying tanks to Ukraine.
A spokesperson said: “The government is committed to matching or exceeding last year’s funding for military assistance to Ukraine in 2023, and we will continue to build on recent donations with a training and other equipment donations.
“We have supplied over 200 armored vehicles to Ukraine to date, including Stormer vehicles armed with Starstreak missiles.
“We also donated tens of thousands of items, including helmets and body armor, mobility and logistics vehicles, anti-tank weapons, missiles and air defense systems, winter and medical equipment. “
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Last year, the UK sent 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Poland as part of a deal to help Ukraine by freeing up capacity in Warsaw to supply its Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Kyiv. .
In service since 1994, the Challenger 2 tank weighs 62.5 tons and is armed with a 120 mm rifled gun and a 7.62 mm chain gun.
Western tanks could “tip the scales”
A squadron of Challenger tanks is in Estonia as part of a NATO mission in Eastern Europe to deter Russian aggression. The Challenger 2 has already been deployed in Bosnia and during the 2003 Iraq War.
Colonel Hamish of Bretton Gordon, former commander of the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, said the introduction of Western tanks could “tip the balance” on the battlefield in favor of Ukraine.
“Strategically, this sends a very strong message to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin that nothing is on the table,” he said.
“Challenger 2 and Leopard II are modern tanks. They are much better protected, more reliable, faster,” he added.
In contrast, the Ukrainian military uses Soviet-era tanks like the T-72, some of which have already been supplied by partners who also use them.
The Russian military also relied heavily on tanks made during the Cold War.
British Challenger tanks – although modern in comparison – were last updated in the 1990s and are themselves being upgraded again. Ukrainian soldiers should be trained in their operation and maintenance.
Russia said on Monday that further Western arms deliveries to Kyiv would “aggravate the suffering of the Ukrainian people” and not change the course of the conflict.
