Leopard and Challenger, tanks that provide firepower to the Ukrainian counter-offensive

This week, Ukraine received one of the largest packages of foreign military aid since the start of the war, with the arrival of new German and British tanks that will allow it to face the expected spring counteroffensive with greater mobility and firepower.

“They are distinguished by their high technical and technological capacitythey are far superior to Soviet-era pieces and will significantly increase the effectiveness of units in combat missions,” a Ukrainian military analyst told Efe about the qualitative leap the shipment implies. Oleksandr Kovalenko.

The expert points out that the “armored vehicles” arriving in Ukraine along with the tanks are “an important component in the offensive operations” that Kiev will need to recapture the territories that Russia occupied as it did in the second half of last year. in the east and south.

The analyst cites the Ukrainian offensive on Kharkivwhich between September and October last year managed to almost completely liberate that territory in the north-east of Ukraine that was partially occupied by Russia.

Having the appropriate armored vehicles, explains Kovalenko, “enables saving lives” among units taking the offensive and exposed to enemy artillery fire. At the same time, the tanks “provide fire support to the assault units”.

“Without them, the counter-offensive could end with a large number of losses and mediocre results”, he points out. “Tanks are needed not only to fight against enemy tank units, but also to penetrate fortified areas,” explains the expert.

Challenger and Leopard

Except for tanks challenger 2 promised by the United Kingdom and of eighteen tanks Leopard 2 which Germany provided, Ukraine received these days from the government in Berlin 40 Marder infantry vehicles. Also this week, Portugal sent three Leopard 2 tanks.

Poland has already sent 14 more Leopard 2 tanks and Kiev expects to receive them soon American Abrams tanks and dozens of vehicles bradley battleships for the transport of troops sent by Washington. Spain has announced that it will send six Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine after Easter.

Western tanks and armored vehicles entering the Ukrainian army will also help Kiev partially compensate for losses accumulated during the war, Kovalenko says.

The importance of ammunition

Just as decisive as tanks and armored personnel carriers will be Ukraine getting the ammunition it needs in time to have effective artillery. “Today, Russian troops they fire 15,000 shells every day in the war zone, while Ukraine can only afford 5,000″, says the expert, who attributes this to the “lack of artillery and ammunition systems”.

The European Union has promised to supply Ukraine with one million 155 mm artillery shells.

Analysts like Mykola Bielieskovfrom the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Ukraine, warned that this ammunition must start arriving in sufficient quantities before June for Kiev to launch its counteroffensive with guarantees.

Kovalenko also talks about the need to increase the stockpile of 120, 82 and 60 mm mortar shells.

“The deficit in this field is evident in the area of ​​Bahamut,” he points out, referring to this city in eastern Ukraine where Kiev’s forces continue to resist, failing to stop Russia’s marginal but steady advances.

Another element that would complement the arrival of tanks and armored vehicles produced in NATO countries would be the delivery of longer-range missile systems capable of hitting targets inside territories occupied by Russia.

“This would allow us to hit their logistics and their command and control system, which would increase the effectiveness of the counteroffensive,” concludes Kovalenko.