Britain will supply Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks, becoming the first country to send Western-built heavy tanks to help kyiv in the face of the Russian invasion, Downing Street said in a statement on Saturday.
During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underlined “the UK’s willingness to step up its support to Ukraine, including by providing additional Challenger 2 tanks and artillery systems”said Downing Street.
Delivery of tanks to Ukraine: the (more or less disinterested) reasons for Macron’s reversal
London does not specify how many tanks it intends to send to kyiv, nor when, nor how it intends to provide training in the use and maintenance of the Challenger 2. But the two British and Ukrainian leaders agree on the “need to profit” recent Ukrainian victories which have “repulsed the Russian troops”.
Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the UK on Twitter for making decisions that “not only will strengthen us on the battlefield, but also send the right signal to other partners”.
300 modernized Soviet tanks
Since the start of the Russian invasion almost a year ago, kyiv’s European allies have already delivered nearly 300 modernized Soviet tanks, but never yet Western-built heavy tanks, despite repeated requests from the Ukraine.
The British announcement comes after Poland said it was ready on Wednesday to deliver 14 Leopard 2 heavy tanks, a German tank model considered one of the most powerful in the world.
War in Ukraine: why is the Battle of Soledar so “bloody”?
Last week, France, Germany and the United States promised to send armored vehicles carrying infantry or reconnaissance tanks – 40 German Marders, 50 American Bradleys and French AMX-10 RCs.
New announcements could come on January 20, during the next meeting of Ukraine’s allies in Ramstein (Germany).
