In recent weeks, the Ukrainian government has focused its appeals to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries for more military aid on one word: tanks.
It is “a very important word for our defense, for our state, for our army, for the common defense of Ukraine and the whole of Europe,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on January 11.
Among the West’s wide array of armored vehicles, the German Leopard 2, operated by several European countries, became the most wanted weaponry by the Ukrainian government after Poland offered to send its vehicles.
The delivery of tanks to Ukraine has been the subject of intense debate among NATO member countries, with positions in favor of aid for Kiev, and others against due to the possible escalation with Russia that the action could generate.
The dispute within NATO over the shipment of tanks, whether Leopard 2, M1 Abrams or the British Challenger, reached such a point that John Kirby, coordinator of strategic communications for the US National Security Council, even downplayed its importance.
“To say that a discussion of tanks is dividing the alliance or in any way putting national security in Ukraine at risk is simply an exaggeration,” the White House official told Christiane Amanpour of the CNN .
Manufacturer of the Leopard 2, Germany announced on Wednesday (25) that it would send the equipment.
Understand the importance of Leopard 2 tanks
Ukraine has a fleet of Soviet-designed (and in some cases Soviet-made) tanks that have suffered heavy losses in fighting since the outbreak of the war on February 24, 2022.
In recent months, Kiev has been urging Western countries – and especially NATO members – to send more modern tanks. With these weapons, Ukraine hopes to replace losses, deal with attacks by Russian armor and break through front lines to mount counterattacks, such as those carried out in Kherson and Kharkiv in late 2022. These are operations for which these weapons are best suited.
Armed with a 120 mm smooth cannon, the Leopard 2 can reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, or 50 km/h offroad, making maneuverability one of its main features.
It is protected by advanced armor concentrated at the front, according to German manufacturer Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann. Although it entered service in 1979, its most recent versions –like the Leopard 2 A7– are still considered top-notch for their firepower, mobility, armor and systems. They are capable of taking on Russia’s most advanced tanks.
Already its older versions – like the Leopard 2 A4 – remain relatively competitive in certain scenarios, even more so when they received updates.
The Leopard 2 was exported by Germany to many countries and used in combat against insurgent forces in Afghanistan, the Balkans and Syria (used by Turkey), but an eventual deployment in Ukraine would be the first time German armor faced Russian tanks as the T-72, T-80 and T-90.
Thirteen countries in Europe, including Poland and Finland, have Leopard 2 tanks, according to the European Council on Foreign Relations expert group. of modernization and preparation for use.
Many European countries have agreed to re-export some tanks to Kiev, but require permission from Germany. Representatives of countries that have Leopard tanks met in a parallel meeting at the US air base in Ramstein, Germany, according to the Portuguese Ministry of Defense.
The huge fleet of tanks available in countries close to Ukraine, the Leopard 2’s relatively low maintenance demands compared to other models, and its more efficient use of diesel are factors that make experts see them as better suited to help. Ukraine as soon as possible.
Poland has a large fleet of Leopard 2 A4 and A5 tanks, which was in the process of being modernized, according to the Polish Armed Forces website. However, in recent times, the Polish government seems to have also opted to upgrade its forces with the purchase of American M1 Abrams and South Korean K2 tanks.
(With input from Rob Picheta, Antonia Mortensen, Kevin Liptak, Brad Lendon, Yoonjung Seo and Joseph Ataman)
Source: CNN Brasil
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