German Leopard 2A6 tanks. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
Ukraine may receive the first batch of Leopard 2 main battle tanks within the first three or four months of this year, German Defense Minister, Boris Pistorius, said during his visit to Warsaw on February 8.
“We could deliver at least one battalion within the first four months of this year, maybe three; and we will have to act as fast as we can after that,” PIsorius said, adding that a tank battalion is likely to include 31 tanks.
Late in January, the German government announced it would make 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks available for Kiev focus and would give authorisation to European partners to re export their tanks to Ukraine.
The move was encouraged by a British decision to supply Ukraine with 14 Challenger 2 tanks, and another by the United States to provide 31 M1A2 Abrams tanks.
Following the German decision, Poland pledged to arm Kiev forces with 14 Leopard 2A4s, while Canada said it would supply four more of the same version. From its side, Portugal said that it would provide four Leopard 2A6s.
Minister Pistorius said that he had agreed with Poland that representatives of countries that can ship Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine will meet next week.
The Leopard 2A4 is armed with the Rh-120 L/44 120 mm gun, while the 2A6 is armed with the more lethal or Rh-120 L/55 gun of the same caliber. Both versions are powered by MTU MB 873 Ka-501 liquid-cooled V12 twin-turbo diesel engine with 1,479 hp and can reach a top speed of up to 70 kilometers per hour.
The composite armor of the tank came under much criticism in 2016, when at least eight Leopard 2A4s of the Turkish military were destroyed by ISIS terrorists in the northern region of Syria with Soviet-made Fagot and Konkurs guided missiles.
Russian experts have already warned that Leopard 2 tanks destined to Ukraine are vulnerable to more advanced anti-tank missiles and shells in service with the Russian military.
Western tank supplies to Ukraine are meant to prepare Kiev forces to launch a large-scale offensive against the Russian military next Spring. The delivery date set by Pistorius shows that Germany is committed to supporting the upcoming Ukrainian offensive.
- In Video: Russian LMUR Missile Hits Ukrainian Position With Pinpoint Accuracy
- Russia Fine-Tuned ‘Tor’ Air Defense Systems To Intercept HIMARS Rockets
