Posted on 01/23/2023 2:05:28 PM PST by dennisw
Europe to send modern armoured vehicles as Russia prepares new mobilisation
Kyiv and allies have been calling on Germany to send Leopard 2 battle tanks Germany has been reluctant, but foreign minister has signalled shift if position
Germany would not block Poland sending its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, its foreign minister said, in a blow for Putin and his invading forces.
Ukrainian officials have been calling on Western allies to supply them the modern German-made armour for months, but Germany has held back from sending them or allowing other Nato countries to do so.
In apparent shift, Annalena Baerbock said her government would not block Poland if it were to send its Leopard 2 tanks — although Poland's prime minister later said Warsaw would seek Berlin's sign-off.
Leopard tanks, used by an array of Nato countries but whose transfer to Ukraine requires Berlin's sign-off, are seen by defence experts as the most suitable heavy battle tanks for Ukraine's needs — as Russia prepares for a new mobilisation.
German officials 'know how important these tanks are' and 'this is why we are discussing this now with our partners', she said.
Germany has been under heavy pressure to let Leopards go to Ukraine but the Social Democrat party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is traditionally sceptical of military involvement and wary of sudden moves that could trigger Russian escalation.
Ms Baerbock's remarks appeared to go further than Scholz's comments at a summit in Paris on Sunday that all decisions on weapons deliveries would be made in co-ordination with allies, including the United States.
Ukraine says the heavily armoured battle tanks would give its ground troops more mobility and protection ahead of a new Russian offensive expected in coming months, and could give them the firepower they need to regain the momentum.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
In April 2015, Welt am Sonntag claimed that tungsten (wolfram) rounds used in Leopard 2 cannot penetrate the Russian T-90 or the modernized version of the T-80. They also stated that the German military will develop a new improved round, but it will be exclusively developed for the Leopard 2A7 in development.
Follows a pattern of Ukraine getting all NATO older stuff. Every old Soviet tank still in use in Europe has already been shipped to Ukraine many months ago.
Its an escalation, for sure, but of questionable military impact
But you can be SURE big $$$ will be spent on re-arming Europe and US. Buy defense stocks.
Daily Maul giving Zelenksy a huge blow.
Thanks, in a well trained force, I am sure combined arms are quite effective, I just wanted to know if the Ukrainians will be able to use these effectively, or if they will just become burning coffins like the russian tanks seem to have become.
And the Ukraine and Lithuania suffered under Polish rule. And Poland invaded and occupied parts of Slovakia right before WWII. Every country in Europe has grievances against its neighborhoods.
The USSR disappeared in 1990s.
Those were my thoughts. Leaving the question, will the Ukrainians make good use of these?
The Russians have stated that they’ll destroy any weapon systems that the US and NATO sends to the Ukraine.
Biden like Schwab and Soros WANT war! Excuse for the great reset!!
This is simply provoking a direct conflict between NATO and Russia. Stupidity reigns supreme it would seem, but we all know the Commie EU would love nothing more than a big war to get rid of a bunch of useless eaters and pave the way the world order. They’re all in on it. Keep cheerleading your own demise though, it suits you.
“they’ll destroy any weapon systems that the US and NATO sends to the Ukraine.”
With this escalation by Poland, what good reason do the Russians have for not attacking supply depots in Poland itself?
Seems like they’ve now become a combatant.
Anybody who has sent anything to Ukraine would be a combatant by your definition. Lots of nations have provided arms, the only thing different now is the type.
The russians will destroy the tanks in no time.
Poland wants to send Ukraine more weapons so Ukraine can defend itself from Putin’s invasion
As Patton preached and implemented, unless you’re on desert flats with long visibility, you need aggressive infantry patrolling in advance of tanks.
The Ukrainians, Baltics, French etc have sent negotiators to arrange a peace treaty.
But Putin refuses to talk unless Ukraine gives up their land that he claims
Training and logistics will obviously be a big deal, although the Leopards have removable power packs that can be swapped out and the engine returned to depot for servicing. My guess is many of the other components like comms are similar or the same as other NATO countries, as there are simply a limited number of suppliers. The thermal optics on Abrams, for example, are made under license from Thales.
LOL, that’s might white of Germany.
The provocation was the Russian invasion. Everything flows from that. The Russian cannot complain at any efforts to held the Ukrainians defend themselves.
Why does Biden want WW III and why are the Poles being dragged into it?
You should ask the Russians why they want it. The started this?
Poland would be quite happy for Russia to do so, as then NATO would be directly involved.
Technically you're not a co-belligerent unless your forces are directly involved or your territory is used to launch attacks. Belarus is a co-belligerent because is allows Russia to launch attacks from its soil.
Bring down the wrath of the entire NATO coalition. Even the Russians are not that stupid.
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