The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall’s announcement about the one-year delivery time of the old Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine has caused confusion.
Rheinmetall’s representative told the German about it Bild magazine (you switch to another service) in an interview over the weekend, however, without specifying what kind of wagons it is.
Former commander of the Armored Brigade and former intelligence chief of the Defense Forces, Major General evp. Pekka Toveri estimates to that the one-year delivery time applies to tanks that have been in storage in Germany for a long time and possibly need extensive maintenance because of that.
– These Rheinmetall machines are apparently older Leopard 2A4 versions that have been left over in Germany and have not been modernized since the 80s and 90s. They have apparently not been kept in readiness anywhere. Even a western battle tank doesn’t like standing.
Comrade states that it is a big effort to go through the systems of tanks in storage condition back to combat condition. Some of the systems need to be replaced and some repaired. Still, he considers the year-long delivery time to be surprisingly long.
– It’s good to be pedantic and precise, but that time seems a bit excessive. The German defense forces and the defense industry seem to have quite a few challenges in keeping their equipment in working condition.
It may also be a question of modifying the armor shields of the old wagons.
– If the combat capability of the tanks is improved in Germany, it will last a long time.
Wagons can be brought to the front faster than Germany
Finland has also considered handing over some Leopard 2 battle tanks to help Ukraine. According to the comrade, tanks from Finland would probably be put into use much faster than Germany, because they have been kept in combat condition.
– You don’t have to do any crazy tricks to get the machines moving. They are recycled and maintained regularly so that they are quickly available, says Toveri.
In Europe, Leopard 2 battle tanks are in use in at least 12 countries. Many of them are considering giving tanks to Ukraine. However, this requires the consent of the manufacturing country, Germany. The most common tank model in Europe is the Leopard 2A6, which is also in use in Finland.
According to Tover, the delivery speed of each country depends on whether the tanks are given from the armed forces’ warehouse.
– If some countries start in this way, then they will get wagons faster for Ukraine, because the machines in use by the armed forces are probably much more combat-ready. They can be quickly trained and delivered to Ukraine.
About a third of Ukraine’s tanks are spoils of war
After Germany’s possible decision, necessary changes must be made to the tanks in the donor countries, for example to the radio equipment. In addition, the training of Ukrainian soldiers and maintenance personnel must be organized.
Ukraine has hoped for 300-400 tanks from its allies. Comrade does not believe that there are so many wagons for Ukraine.
– I think it will not be received. The Ukrainians have now hoped that they could get together at least a brigade, which is just under a hundred wagons.
The Ukrainian army currently has about a thousand tanks, of which 200–300 are T.72 or T-55 tanks donated from the West, which have, however, been modernized. According to the comrade, more than a third of the wagons in Ukraine are war booty.
– Unfortunately, they do not come with spare parts packages and tools, but their maintenance has its own challenges. Since they are old Soviet technology, they clearly lag behind Western wagons in terms of performance.
So far, France, Germany and the United States have made decisions to supply Ukraine with AMX-10 reconnaissance and fire support tanks, as well as Bradley and Marder assault tanks.
If Ukraine had to wait a year for battle tanks, it would be too long, says Toveri.
– Russia is just starting to launch its military industry and strengthen its forces. That’s why the Ukrainians would like to make their own counterattacks before the summer and reach some kind of solutions. If you have to wait a year, it is of course already too late.
Battle armor is only part of the solution
Leopard 2 main battle tanks have been highlighted in recent days in the discussion about equipping Ukraine. With the help of tanks, Ukraine could try to take back the territories occupied by Russia.
– It has already become a symbolic thing. It would be one indication that the West has understood that Ukraine needs all possible help to be able to liberate its territory.
Comrade states that Leopard 2 main battle tanks will not solve the war. At the same time, he emphasizes that Ukraine also needs more effective anti-aircraft weapons and long-range influence.
– Ukraine would need longer-range rockets for its Himars rocket launchers. That would be paramount.
– Battle tanks are needed at the stage when own territories have to be taken back. Russia has fortified and is prepared to defend the territories it has plundered tooth and nail. Leopards are ultimately needed to take them back.