BERLIN/WASHINGTON- Germany and the United States announced plans on Wednesday to deliver main battle tanks to Ukraine, in a breakthrough Kyiv hailed as a decisive military boost but Moscow condemned as a reckless provocation.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a statement that Germany would send an initial company of 14 Leopard 2 tanks from its own military inventory, and allow its allies to send more tanks from their own stocks until Ukraine has two full battalions comprising a total of 112 of these lethal war machines.
A battalion normally comprises three or four companies with about 14 tanks each. Poland has also pledged 14 tanks, and Britain has promised 14 of its own Challengers.
Hours after Mr Scholz's pledge, US President Joe Biden said the US will provide 31 Abrams M1 tanks. The Abrams is seen as less suitable for Ukraine due to its heavy fuel consumption and greater maintenance needs, but such a move could ease German concerns about presenting a united front among Ukraine's allies. Europe and the US are "fully united", said Mr Biden.
This story is from the January 26, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the January 26, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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