The World – January 15, 2023

Since the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war almost a year ago،

Despite Ukraine's repeated requests, Kiev's European allies have delivered nearly 300 modernized Soviet tanks, but they have not yet delivered Western-made heavy tanks

The upcoming arrival of Western-made light armored vehicles or even German Leopard 2 heavy tanks on the battlefield of Ukraine puts Kiev in front of the challenge of training its troops in the use and maintenance of a variety of military equipment, some of which are quite complex.

And, apparently, the taboo that existed since the beginning of the war is no longer an obstacle: Poland said that it is ready to deliver 14 Leopard 2 heavy tanks.

This German model of assault tanks, considered one of the best in the world, is popular in Europe, which guarantees the provision of spare parts and ammunition.

But Berlin has so far been reluctant to hand it over to Kiev, fearing an escalation with Moscow.

Finland indicated that it was not opposed to this after a discussion among European countries that own such tanks. "It requires not only the delivery of the equipment itself, but also training in its use and securing expertise to carry out maintenance in Ukraine,"said tarya yakula, an official of the Ministry of Defense.

The British, for their part, do not exclude the supply of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine.

New announcements may be made on January 20 during the next meeting of Ukraine's allies in Ramstein (Germany).

Last week, France, Germany and the United States paved the way by promising to send armored infantry or reconnaissance vehicles - 40 German marders, 50 American Bradleys and a French AMX-10 RC.

According to a French source familiar with the file, Paris may sell a total of forty of these mobile equipment.

But a US military source explained that"handing over all this equipment is one thing and using it is another".

Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainians have demonstrated a remarkable ability to cope with the large amount of military equipment sent to them. As for heavy tanks, the Ukrainian army did not start from scratch: before February 24 it had a fleet of about 900 Soviet-made tanks.

A French cavalry officer warned that " Soviet tanks are very simple and are equipped with limited electronic devices. Given the variety of Western tanks and armored vehicles promised, this may pose a logistical dilemma for them,"he said. "The models are completely different and each has its own weapon systems, bearings and engines ...".