On the eve of the meeting of its allies on the NATO base of Ramstein, in Germany, Ukraine has increased the pressure to overcome the reluctance on the delivery of heavy weapons to its army against Russia. Its priority target: the Leopard 2 tanks produced in large quantities by German industry since the 1980s. mm. Another advantage, these behemoths equip many European armies, which simplifies maintenance, which is demanding for this type of equipment.
Before today’s meeting in Ramstein, the authorities in kyiv urged a dozen countries, including Turkey and Germany, to give up part of their Leopard 2 stocks, “one of the most pressing and urgent needs” for the Ukrainian army. Interviewed remotely at the Davos Forum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky gave a lesson to those who are still hesitating on Thursday, January 19. But except thunderclap, the meeting of January 20 should not lead to sensational announcements. According to our information, the defense ministers or their representatives should above all list the deliveries in progress and take advantage of the round table to coordinate in liaison with the Ukrainians.
Reluctant Americans and Germans
Under pressure for several months, Berlin does not seem ready to give up these famous Leopard 2s. The subject still divides the ruling coalition led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who refuses to deliver these assault vehicles to kyiv as long as Washington will not have done the same with his Abrams. However, the Pentagon is not ready to take the plunge, judging this equipment too complicated to master, too greedy (11 liters of kerosene per kilometer) and difficult to maintain. Difficulties also mentioned by France for its Leclerc tank whose mastery of the firing turret requires long months of learning.
Faced with Germany’s procrastination, several neighboring countries, including Poland and Finland, have offered to sell part of their own Leopard 2 stocks. But without the green light from Berlin, they are prohibited from delivering equipment purchased from the German suppliers. “On this point, the German authorities could let go of ballast”, thinks a source familiar with the matter. In the absence of support from Washington, Berlin and Paris, however, it seems unlikely that the Ukrainians will obtain the hoped-for hundred combat tanks in order to be able to make breakthroughs on the front line.
Polish pressure
Before joining Ramstein, however, several European states competed in aid announcements to Ukraine, starting with the Scandinavians. Sweden will thus deliver long-range self-propelled guns (50 km) of the Archer model, modern equipment demanded by kyiv for many months, as well as light armored vehicles. Still on the artillery side, their Danish neighbor announced the granting of its 19 Caesar guns purchased from France, a weapon that played an important role on the battlefield. After the promise of 14 Challenger 2 heavy tanks to Ukraine, the British will deliver 600 Brimstone surface-to-air missiles with a range of around 60 km.