These assumptions led the West to initially provide only simple, defensive weapons. Nevertheless, the decision represents increasing Western confidence in Ukraine, and an increasing tolerance for risk in supporting its effort to reverse Russia’s aggression.Įarly in the war, Western countries were guided by two assumptions: that Ukraine would-probably sooner than later-succumb to Russia’s invasion, and that Western military assistance risked an escalation with Russia, which might easily spin out of control. The decision by Western countries to send tanks to Ukraine is a welcome one, but tanks-at least in their current numbers-will not change the course of the war. For Western tanks to affect the war’s outcome, the West needs to send more of them, Ukraine needs to use them as part of a combined arms team, and it must develop the capability to logistically support them.Russia will struggle to upgrade its own tank contingent in Ukraine to offset the new capability Western tanks will provide.The decision by Western governments to send tanks-the premier ground offensive weapon of modern armies-represents greater Western confidence in Ukraine.Although Western tanks are qualitatively superior to Russian tanks fighting in Ukraine, they will only affect the outcome of the war if they arrive in sufficient numbers, are used effectively, and are supported properly.

And there the pool of Leopard is much bigger,' Mölling said. 'It's spare parts, it's repair, maintenance, and overhaul that needs to be done. Logistically speaking, the Leopards present a key advantage over America's M1 Abrams and the British Challenger 2: larger stocks.

So this also gives you a certain tactical advantage in moving in and out quite fast, but also crossing distances in a quite short range.' 'And third point is manoeuvre,' Mölling added. If you don't have to fear that any shot that hits you means that you basically go up in flames, it's quite something that helps you psychologically.' 'It has a very advanced armour, which is also important for the tank crews. Christian Mölling, head of the Centre for Security and Defence at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), told Euronews. So, it can fire quite a long range with different types of ammunition that you can basically shape towards your target, so what you want to hit, you can choose different types of ammunition for that,' Dr. The Leopard is 'quite powerful with regard to firepower.

Different types of military tanks