Polish Radio
January 25, 2023

US to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine

The United States said on Wednesday it would supply Ukraine with 31 advanced Abrams tanks to help the country defend itself against Russia’s invasion.

US President Joe Biden, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, announces a plan to send M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in remarks at the White House in Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023.

President Joe Biden announced the decision in remarks at the White House, saying the tanks were needed to help the Ukrainians “improve their ability to maneuver in open terrain.”

Ukrainian soldiers will be trained to use the Abrams in a yet-to-be determined location….

Earlier on Wednesday, Germany announced it would deliver a company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks “as a first step” in allied efforts to quickly provide Ukraine with two tank battalions.

Biden thanked Germany for its decision to supply Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

“Germany has really stepped up,” he said.

====

Polish Radio
January 25, 2023

Polish PM welcomes German decision to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine

The Polish prime minister has welcomed Germany’s decision to send some of its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine to help fight Russia’s invasion.

Germany announced on Wednesday it would deliver a company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks “as a first step” in allied efforts to quickly provide Ukraine with two tank battalions.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in a tweet thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the move.

“The decision to send Leopards to Ukraine is a big step towards stopping Russia,” Morawiecki said.

***

Germany confirmed on Wednesday it would give permission to other countries, such as Poland, Spain, Finland and Norway, to send their own German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

Poland has pledged to provide Ukraine with a company of 14 Leopard tanks….

====

Breaking Defense
January 25, 2023

Abrams to rumble into Ukraine: US joins Germany’s vow to send Kyiv tanks

Thirty-one American M1 Abrams main battle tanks will eventually make their way to Kyiv to help in the battle against Russia, US President Joe Biden said today, just hours after Germany said it, too, would free German-made Leopards for the fight.

Biden made the official declaration midday local time, announcing that the 31 M1 Abrams, one Ukrainian battalion-worth, will be heading to the Eastern European country to help “defend [and] protect Ukrainian land.”

***

The point of sending the tanks, like all the other security aid that’s gone to Kyiv, was to push Russian soldiers back to Russian territory. If Russian troops returned home, the war would be over “tomorrow,” Biden said.

***

Additionally, the US is providing Ukraine with eight M88 Recovery Vehicles in case the Abrams tanks break down or get stuck in the mud and need to be towed for repairs, perhaps a sign of the logistical, practical challenges to be overcome.

====

Defense Post
January 25, 2023

Germany Greenlights Long-Awaited Leopard Tanks for Ukraine

Berlin on Wednesday approved the delivery of powerful German-made Leopard tanks to help Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion, after weeks of pressure from Kyiv and many allies.

Germany will provide a company of 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from the Bundeswehr stocks, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in a statement.

It also granting approval for other European countries to send tanks from their own stocks to Ukraine, with the aim of quickly assembling “two tank battalions with Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine,” he said.

====

Defense Post
January 25, 2023

France Studying Whether to Send Leclerc Tanks to Ukraine

France continues to study the possibility of sending its heavy Leclerc tanks to Ukraine, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said on Wednesday.

The French tanks are comparable to the German-made Leopards, which Berlin agreed to send to Kyiv on Wednesday….

***

France has provided its state-of-the-art Caesar artillery system, Crotale air defense system, and most recently pledged its highly mobile AMX-10 RC light tank among other weapons.

With Germany now providing Leopards to Ukraine and the US set to send its Abrams, attention is expected to turn to whether France will authorize the deployment of Leclercs.

***

“There’s no political objection,” a French defense ministry source told AFP on condition of anonymity. “We are just wondering whether the Leclerc would be a poisoned chalice. The aim is to be useful and effective.”