- Jeremy Howell & Tom Spencer
- BBC News
photo source, Getty Images
Ukraine wants hundreds of new tanks to reclaim territory lost to Russia.
Britain plans to send 14 tanks. But many other countries are still hesitant to apply.
How many tanks are there in Russia and Ukraine?
Ukraine started the war with some 900 tanks, including the T-72, built some 30 years ago.
“Most of the Ukrainian tanks weren’t properly serviced before the invasion, so that probably won’t help,” said Dr Marina Milon, a defense researcher at King’s College London, UK.
Russia launched the invasion with more than 3,000 tanks and has many other tanks in reserve.
Ukraine is asking Western countries to provide 300 new tanks.
These tanks are expected to be used to reclaim territory from Russia this spring.
Dr. Jack Watling of the Royal United Service Institute explained, “Ukrainian infantry needs tanks to help break through the Russian defenses. These defenses are heavily defended by artillery.”
What tanks can the West give
At the beginning of the war, Western countries only provided Ukraine with defensive weapons such as anti-tank missiles.
This was because they were concerned that sending offensive weapons such as tanks might provoke Russia and intensify the war.
Ukraine received only 200 T-72 tanks from Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic last year.
Britain became one of the countries that provided modern tanks by promising 14 ‘Challenger 2’s, known for their high accuracy.
However, the Challenger 2 uses a different type of ammunition than NATO’s other tanks, which can complicate its use.
“Ukraine will have to set up a separate supply line for ammunition for the Challenger tank,” said Dr. Milon.
Ukraine hopes to receive German-made Leopard 2 tanks.
It is lighter and faster, uses standard ammunition and there are more countries that can donate some from their fleets.
Poland and Finland, which bought German-made Leopard 2 tanks, want to provide Ukraine with regarding 25 of these tanks.
This would require permission from Germany, which has yet to make a decision.
Other Western countries are also under pressure.
Britain’s Defense Minister Ben Wallace said: “I hope the countries providing weapons to Ukraine hear the message that unlocking the tanks is part of 2023.”
Ukraine also asked the United States to support the M1 Abrams, which is said to be the most advanced tank, but the United States has not yet agreed.
Why won’t Germany and the US give us tanks?
“Germany is concerned regarding supplying weapons such as tanks unless all other Western countries do so,” says Dr. Milon.
“I’m afraid Russia will say, ‘You crossed the line, now we’re going to attack you.'”
Dr. Watling predicted that the US would not be sending Abrams tanks for “pragmatic reasons.”
“These tanks use a lot of fuel, and Ukraine is running out of fuel. Also, Abrams require extensive maintenance to keep them going.”
However, “the US may want to see how the Challenger and Leopardo are doing before sending American tanks to Ukraine,” Dr. Milon observed.
How will Western tanks help Ukraine?
“Western tanks are heavier than Russian tanks, so their use may be limited,” Watling said.
The tank itself is too heavy to cross most bridges in Ukraine. Because of this, “it will have to be accompanied by a special bridge-building car,” he points out.
“This means that Ukraine has a limited number of places where tanks can be used,” said Dr. Milon.
“You will find that you can only use the chariot in Ukraine where there are few rivers. And you can only use it where there is not much mud because it gets lost in mud.”
Moreover, Western tanks sent to Ukraine would be immediately targeted, she said. “The Russians will actively seek out and destroy these new tanks.”