West plans to send German tanks Leopard 2 to Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure to approve an increase in international military support for Kiev, allowing the export of combat tanks, Leopard 2, to Ukraine.

Germany has resisted such a move so far, saying Ukraine should be supplied with Western tanks only if there is agreement between Kiev's top allies, particularly the United States of America.

Western officials want to establish a balance between ensuring Ukraine can be protected and without the supply of weapons that Kiev can encourage to conduct attacks on Russia or withdraw NATO in conflict with Moscow.

Here are some facts about Leopard 2 and the debate on whether to settle in Ukraine.

Berlin Approval

Leopard's report requires approval of the German government, so other countries that have these tanks cannot send them to Ukraine without that approval.

Some German officials have eased their views before a meeting of Ukraine's allies in Ramstein, Germany, to be held next Friday, where governments will announce their latest promises of military support for Kiev.

Deputy cacancellar Robert Habeck, whose Economy Ministry is responsible for the adoption of defence exports, said Thursday that Berlin should not prevent countries wishing to send Leoparda to Ukraine.

This would give the green light to countries like Poland, which has said it wants to take such a step as part of a coalition.

Scholz has not yet said whether he has the same view as Habec, or if he would allow Germany to send some of its Leopards to Ukraine.

Why hasn't the West sent combat tanks to Kiev so far?

Western officials are concerned and are avoiding a more direct involvement in war.

While Moscow has condemned the escalation of weapons supplies to Ukraine, this has not led to any military consequences for the West. This has made governments more open to the idea of sending tanks.

So far, Ukraine has relied mainly on the variants of Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

Some Western officials have noted another concern that Russia, or even China, may have advanced Western weapons deployed in Ukraine, enabling Moscow or Beijing to steal Western military technology.

Why hasn't the West sent combat tanks to Kiev so far?

Western officials are concerned and are avoiding a more direct involvement in war.

While Moscow has condemned the escalation of weapons supplies to Ukraine, this has not led to any military consequences for the West. This has made governments more open to the idea of sending tanks.

So far, Ukraine has relied mainly on the variants of Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

Some Western officials have noted another concern that Russia, or even China, may have advanced Western weapons deployed in Ukraine, enabling Moscow or Beijing to steal Western military technology.

Why does Ukraine want Leopard 2?

This tank is considered one of the best in the West.

The German Defence Company Krauss-Maffei Wegman has built more than 3,500 Leopard 2 tanks since the start of production in 1978.

The tank weighs more than 60 tons, has a smooth 120 millimeter gun, and can hit targets at a distance of up to five miles [5 km].

About 20 countries have Leopard 2. This means that some nations can provide some of their tanks to support Ukraine. This would also make it easier for Ukraine to manage crew maintenance and training.

Among the countries operating with Leopard 2 are: Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.

How many Leopard 2 tanks are available?

Leopard 2 is one of the most widely used Western tanks. But in general, three decades after the end of the Cold War, the supply of tanks and other heavy weapons is rare in most of the West. Many countries drastically reduced their armies after the fall of communism.

Germany today has about 350 Leopard 2 tanks compared to about 4,000 main combat tanks at the height of the Cold War, says German military expert Carl Schulze.

At the same time, it is impossible to buy a large quantity of Leopard 2 tanks quickly.

The German state of defence has been prohibited by law to produce them for preservation. Countries ordering new tanks should wait two to three years for their surrender.

Even if production will increase, experts say it may take at least two years for the first new tanks to leave the factory.

What other tanks are there?

The United States operates with thousands of M1 Abrams tanks built by General Dinamics, but they are seen as inappropriate for Ukraine after being driven by gas turbines.

The consumption of Abram's oil is so high that Ukraine has no chance of using it in the current wartime supply situation”, Schulze says.

He added that while Abrams could function with oil, it would not reduce consumption to an acceptable level.

Leopard 2 works on a more economic engine that burns oil, which is also easier to deal with than oil.

According to media reports, Britain is examining Ukraine's supply with some of its Chanlenger 2. / REL