Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump claims US significantly ahead of Russia, China, in space
US National Guard female member injured in Washington attack has died: Trump
Israeli media outlet reports one injury in a shooting targeting a bus at the Tunnels checkpoint in al-Quds
Sayyed Khamenei: In the 12-day war, the Iranian people defeated the Americans and the Zionists without a doubt
Sayyed Khamenei: We must enhance mobilization and pass on its concept to future generations, and I have always advised all government agencies to operate in a mobilization-oriented manner
Sayyed Khamenei: The scientists who were martyred in the 12-day aggression were not involved in the mobilization, but they embodied the true image of being part of the mobilization move
Sayyed Khamenei: The IRGC may be the official side concerned with mobilization, but any zealous group that wants to work for the sake of this country is part of this mobilization
Sayyed Khamenei: The phenomenon of resistance will continue and grow, and the oppressed people of the world will feel that someone supports them and that there is a power that amplifies their voice
Addressing the Iranian nation, Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei: A country like Iran needs mobilization more than any other country in light of foreign ambitions and interventions [affecting it]
Larijani to Pakistan's HUM TV: We are not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but we will continue to seriously develop our peaceful nuclear program

London still undecided about supplying Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Jan 2023 20:57
4 Min Read

The United Kingdom still does not know whether or not it will be sending Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine as Kiev demands more support.

  • x
  • The UK Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2 Theatre Entry Standard (CR2 TES) fitted with a Mobile Camouflage System (WikiMedia Commons)
    The UK Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2 Theatre Entry Standard (CR2 TES) fitted with a Mobile Camouflage System (Wikimedia Commons)

The UK government has not yet made a final decision on the possible delivery of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said on Tuesday, commenting on recent media reports.

Sky News reported Monday that the United Kingdom, according to a source familiar with the matter, might be supplying Ukraine with Challenger 2, the British Army's main tank, and there have been talks about the affair for the past two weeks

The authorities in Downing Street still have not made a final decision, but if the United Kingdom fulfills the requests of the Ukrainian authorities, this would make London the first western power to have responded to Kiev's demands to be supplied with key tanks from the West. This could be a domino effect that would lead other NATO allies to supply Ukraine with tanks.

"We haven’t made any final decisions on provision of tanks at this stage ... Until decisions are made on these sorts of things, we don’t comment on speculation around what further equipment may or may not be sent," the spokesperson said, according to The Guardian.

"We will continue to discuss with Ukrainian counterparts about what is the best form we can provide. And that’s done in conjunction with our allies," he added.

The Contact Group, a US-led mechanism of 50 nations pumping arms into Ukraine, is set on holding its next meeting on January 20. This upcoming meeting could see London announcing the support in the form of tanks that it is intending to send to Ukraine.

This aid package could include around 10 Challenger 2 tanks, which would be enough to arm an entire squadron, one source told Sky News.

The same source admitted that this would not necessarily tip the balance of power, but it would make for a first in terms of Ukraine receiving Western tanks, opening up the opportunity for many other nations to do so after the collective West saw this as a move that Russia would perceive as greatly escalatory.

This comes days after the Pentagon announced that the latest military assistance package for Ukraine worth $3.75 billion includes 50 Bradley fighting vehicles, 500 TOW anti-tank missiles, and 250,000 rounds of 22mm ammunition.

According to US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasian Affairs Laura Cooper, it will take a couple of months to field Bradley fighting vehicles in Ukraine.

Late last year, The Telegraph newspaper reported that the United Kingdom intended to increase defense spending by around 1.5 billion pounds ($1.8 billion) in light of the Ukraine war. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce the increase for the fiscal year 2025 in the spring of 2023.

In late November, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak vowed that his country would stand by Kiev's side "until Ukraine has won" during his first visit to the Ukrainian capital since taking office.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, revealed in December that the West had supplied more than 350 tanks, 700 artillery systems, 100 multiple launch rocket systems, 30 helicopters, at least 5,000 drones, and 1,000 armored fighting vehicles to Ukraine since the start of Ukraine war. Total foreign financial assistance to Ukraine amounted to almost $100 billion, Gerasimov added.

  • United States
  • Russia
  • Rishi Sunak
  • United Kingdom
  • Ukraine
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025
A boy tries to stand near missiles displayed in the National Aerospace Park of the Revolutionary Guard, just outside Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 (AP)

Key Israeli sites destroyed, nuclear docs moved to Tehran: Minister

  • Politics
  • 22 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
AI weaponized: 'Israel' scrubs soldiers’ posts to hide atrocities
Technology

AI weaponized: 'Israel' scrubs soldiers’ posts to hide atrocities

z
Politics

Petro: Oil is key to US pressure on Venezuela, not drug trade

The Lafarge cement plant facility is seen Tuesday, October 18, 2022, in Ravena, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
Politics

Lafarge trial focuses on talks with Syrian armed groups, ISIS links

Denmark sets up Trump ‘night watch’ after Greenland tensions flare
Politics

Denmark sets up Trump ‘night watch’ after Greenland tensions flare

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS