The Ukrainians may celebrate but some defence observers may be wringing their hands this week.
The transfer of Western main battle tanks to Ukraine will greatly aid the beleaguered nation's efforts to recapture territory from invading Russian forces, but comes with the risk of sensitive technology falling into Russian hands.
One thing is certain: Germany's caving in to pressure to deliver at least 14 Leopard 2 tanks, and Britain's pledge to deliver another 14 Challenger 2 tanks in their respective arsenals to Ukraine mean Western main battle tanks will be deployed to Ukraine's front line for the first time since Russia's invasion a year ago.
Thirty-one US Abrams tanks will also join later this year as part of a US$400 million (S$525) million) security package announced by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
A LEAP IN OFFENSIVE CAPABILITIES
The deployment of Leopards, Challengers and Abrams tanks could reshape the balance of power on the battlefield. On a platform-to-platform level, they represent a significant upgrade in destructive firepower and offensive capabilities.
The Ukrainians have thus far employed older and slower Russian tanks such as the T-64, T-72 and T-80 either inherited from their post-Soviet inventory, captured from invading Russian forces, or donated by former Warsaw Pact nations like Poland or the Czech Republic.
Little wonder then that the Ukrainians have repeatedly asked for Western tanks to be added to the military support received from North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) members, which now includes US-made anti-tank Javelin and anti-aircraft Stinger missiles, Himars satellite-guided rockets, and artillery systems like the French Caesar and German PzH 2000 howitzers, to beat back the Russians and deter the deployment of further forces with greater firepower, including Russian aircraft potentially providing troops with air cover.
This story is from the January 28, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the January 28, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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