need a lot of Leopard tanks.” Germany confirmed it will send a contingent of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, with US President Joe Biden announcing he will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks, reversing the administration’s longstanding resistance. Chancellor Olaf Scholz told his Cabinet of the decision, with spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit saying it was the result of intensive consultations with Germany’s closest partners. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the move, saying it would “significantly strengthen” Ukraine’s combat capabilities. The US decision to provide Abrams tanks represents an abrupt about-face, with the procurement process taking months and requiring extensive training for Ukrainian troops on how to operate and service them. The US will also procure eight M88 recovery vehicles to help “keep the Abrams tanks up and running.” Germany will assemble two tank battalions with Leopard 2 tanks, with a first step of 14 tanks from Bundeswehr stocks, and training to begin quickly. The package will also include logistics, ammunition and maintenance of the systems, with Boris Pistorius saying they could be operational in Ukraine in about three months. Poland has formally asked Germany to transfer some of its German-made Leopard 2 tanks, with several European countries owning some Leopards. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed Germany’s move as the “right decision”, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s chief of staff said they need “a lot” of Leopard tanks.
Germany and US Agree to Send Tanks to Ukraine in Show of Solidarity with Kyiv
