For fear of an escalation with Russia, the supporters of Ukraine have shown a certain timidity in their deliveries of modern heavy armament – with the notable exception of artillery pieces (such as Himars and cannons). Caesar). But this psychological barrier is falling, as shown by the promises of Western-made weapons at the start of the year: around thirty French AMX-10 RC light tanks, 90 armored infantry equipped with guns and anti-tank missiles (German Marders and American Bradleys) and, for the first time, tanks. The Ukrainian army is expected to receive 14 Challenger 2s “in the coming weeks” from the United Kingdom.
But we must not stop there. While the Kremlin seems determined to continue the invasion of Ukraine, the West must accelerate its deliveries. If kyiv obtains a significant number of Leopard 2, a German battle tank which equips 13 European nations, including Poland and Finland, which plan to send them, it will have a formidable tool for counter-offensives.
“They were designed to dominate the main Soviet tanks, they see better, shoot further and faster than them, argues Marc Chassillan, specialist consultant. What, in coordination with artillery fire, pierce the lines of the enemy.” The Ukrainians hope for a green light from Berlin by January 20, the day of the next coordination meeting of its allies, at the American base in Ramstein. There is urgency: it takes months to train in such equipment. The outcome of the Spring and Summer battles is now decided.