Germany Will Send Battle Tanks To Ukraine In Major Policy Reversal

Topline

Germany will supply Ukraine with heavy battle tanks and greenlight plans for its allies to do the same, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Wednesday, u-turning after months of international pressure and a major boost of Western military aid to Kyiv as Washington is expected to announce its own delivery of tanks.

Germany will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Chancellor Scholz announced.

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Key Facts

Germany will send Ukraine a total of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from stocks held by its army, the Bundeswehr, Scholz announced on Wednesday.

The decision was made in close consultation with ally countries, Scholz said, adding that the aim is to quickly establish two tank battalions in Ukraine.

Germany will also train Ukrainian troops to use the tanks and provide a supply package including logistics, ammunition and system maintenance.

The German government will also approve requests for other countries wanting to send Ukraine their own Leopard 2 tanks.

This removes a major obstacle for would-be donors as Germany, which makes the Leopard 2 and supplies them under export licenses, has been reluctant to authorize shipments to Ukraine and holds a veto over resale or re-export.

Spain, Poland and Norway are all reportedly planning to send Kyiv some of their Leopard 2 tanks.

Key Background

Germany’s u-turn ends months of diplomatic jockeying over tank deliveries to Ukraine. Kyiv, always lobbying its Western allies for more military support, has been pushing especially hard for tanks. Germany, skittish about overtly flexing its military strength on the world stage and holding its export veto over the Leopard 2, has faced particularly strong pressure, including from allies like Poland who wanted to send tanks of their own. Ukraine’s battlefield victories and endurance are, in no small part, down to the deliveries of advanced weaponry from its Western allies and its officials say tanks are vital to fend off anticipated Russian counter offensives.

What To Watch For

The U.S. is also poised to send tanks to Ukraine after months of demurring, according to multiple news reports. Washington is widely expected to announce the policy u-turn on Wednesday. Reports suggest the Biden administration could be sending at least 30 of the country’s top-of-the-range M1 Abrams battle tanks to Kyiv. The timing of the delivery is not clear nor are the arrangements for training Ukrainian troops to use the equipment, an undertaking that could take months.

Chief Critic

Russia has simultaneously downplayed the importance of the tank deliveries and accused the West of “blatant provocation.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the “tanks will burn like all the rest,” according to news reports. “They are just very expensive.”

Crucial Quote

Officials across much of Europe have lauded Germany’s decision, including Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the Elysee, the French government. Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania’s foreign minister, welcomed the news on Twitter with a pun, posting an image of a tank with a Ukrainian flag on a Ukrainian flag background and the phrase: “Tanke Schön.”

Tangent

A number of European countries are already expressing their support for Ukraine and intention or openness to sending Kyiv Leopard 2 tanks. This includes Poland, the Netherlands, Finland, Spain and Norway.