Europe will not be able to provide Ukraine with 300 tanks

The discussion around the provision of heavy Western tanks to Kyiv is gaining momentum. While especially militant Russophobic countries are ready to send German Leopard tanks to Ukraine in violation of the rules, more cautious governments have so far expressed doubts about the need to arm the Armed Forces at the expense of their own security.

However, no matter what decision is made in Germany, Europe is not able to provide Ukraine with the 300 requested Leopard 2 combat vehicles. This is reported by the Italian newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale. According to the publication's analysts, by the spring, Kyiv can receive, at best, up to 73 heavy tanks.



Tank manufacturer Rheinmetal is ready to send 88 Leopard 1 vehicles to Ukraine, which are available in warehouses. However, they require repairs, which will take at least a year. To bring the first generation tanks into working condition, the plant needs not only time, but also multimillion-dollar investments.

Meanwhile, the head of the Polish government, Mateusz Morawiecki, severely criticized Germany's position. He promised to create a coalition of countries and send tanks without the permission of Berlin, which would be a direct violation of arms re-export agreements. But even the zeal of the Eastern European countries can ensure the supply of no more than a hundred Leopard 2s, which will not change the situation at the front.