Western tanks pledged to Ukraine only 19% delivered despite hype

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Apr 2023 09:10
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Less than one-fifth of the promised tanks have been supplied to Kiev by its western partners months even after approval was given.

A Leopard 1 tank in Storkau, Germany, on May 19, 2000 (AP)

Only 19 percent of the battle tanks pledged by the West to Kiev have been delivered so far, TASS reported on Monday, citing official delivery statements released by countries.

As of the beginning of April, 57 tanks out of 293 tanks vowed were handed to Ukraine, the news agency said.

On March 27, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that his country has delivered to Ukraine all the Leopard 2A6 tanks it had promised earlier. German authorities did not disclose the delivery route for the transport of military weapons and equipment due to security concerns.

Berlin also issued permits approving the delivery of 187 Leopard 1A5 tanks that will be sent jointly with Denmark and the Netherlands, raising the total number of tanks supplied by Germany to more than 100 by 2024.

Read more: German industry stock might give Ukraine up to 160 Leopard I tanks

Several other countries have also supplied Ukraine with a number of the German-made main battle tank. Poland announced transferring 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks between February and March, while Norway sent eight tanks and Portugal three.

UK delivered 14 of its Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, while France sent AMX-10RC armored vehicles.

US, Spain, Canada, Sweden, and Finland have also pledged to supply Kiev with tanks but so far didn't.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said last week that his country was not going to send additional Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

"I currently do not see [the possibility of] deliveries of additional Leopard tanks beyond those announced," Pistorius told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

Like other countries, Germany has a "limited supply" of weapons, the Defense Minister said, noting that he "cannot give everything away."

"Now, together with the Poles and other allies, we are supplying two battalions of Leopard 2, a little over 60 battle tanks. Up to four more battalions of Leopard 1 tanks will be added until next year. This is over 100 tanks. Our American and British allies will also hand over tanks," Pistorius said.