Berlin: German Chancellor Olaf Schulz has decided to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, paving the way for other European countries to supply combat weapons.
According to foreign media reports, referring to Christian Dwyer, the parliamentary leader of the governing Free Democrats (FDP), the German chancellor has decided today, the fact is that Germany will help Ukraine with Leopard tanks. Decision is a strong symbol of solidarity.
Bundestag Stock Vice President Katrin Goering-Eckardt shared a link to a media report and tweeted that Leppard had been freed.
The magazine reported that other allies of Ukraine also plan to join Germany in supplying their Leopard tanks to the Scandinavian countries of Kyiv, for example.
According to the magazine, more tanks may be ready for use in the long run.
Officials in Washington said the U.S. may soon drop its opposition to supplying Ukraine with Abrams tanks, a decision the U.S. may aim to encourage Germany to follow suit.
What is Leopard 2 Tank?
The Leopard 2 is a German-made main battle tank with a range of approximately 500 km, first entered service in 1989, and a top speed of 61 km/h.
It is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon and two coaxial light machine guns.
In addition to being used by the German military, the Leopard 2 is in widespread use in Europe with more than a dozen countries using it, including Canada.
These tanks have also been deployed in Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Syria (on behalf of Turkey) where many were hit by anti-tank missiles.