German Leopard 2 Tanks Secretly Remain in Ukraine
In 2023, Germany sent 18 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine following the persistent pressure from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on whether Berlin should provide heavy weapons to Ukraine. This decision came after US President Joe Biden decided to send Abrams tanks, and the public opinion in Germany shifted in favor of supporting Ukraine. However, despite the influx of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Ukrainian soldiers are facing challenges in effectively using these heavy weapons.
According to secret minutes obtained, Ukrainian troops are encountering limitations in utilizing the Leopard 2 tanks due to various difficulties. The tanks are vulnerable to attacks from unmanned aerial vehicles, like many other tanks, but the complex design of Leopard 2 makes it challenging to repair them on the battlefield. This leads to damaged tanks needing to be transported to special repair teams in Western Ukraine or directly to Poland for maintenance.
The shortcomings in the Leopard 2 tanks have forced Ukrainian soldiers to rely on them primarily as developed artillery systems rather than as frontline battle tanks. Sergej Sumlenny, from the European Stability Initiative Center based in Berlin, highlighted that the tanks were designed by engineers who had never experienced war, leading to a system that is overly complex compared to older systems designed by those with wartime experience.
Furthermore, German defense experts stress the importance of learning from the experiences in Ukraine for Germany’s defense supply policy. The potential threat from Russia to NATO emphasizes the need for Germany to reassess its strategy. Green Party Defense Spokesman Sara Nanni emphasized the need to think beyond small quantities and consider the long-term maintenance and usability of military equipment in the event of damage.
The leaked minutes also revealed that there were additional challenges with the equipment sent by Germany to Ukraine, including issues with air defense systems not being able to operate at full capacity due to a lack of ammunition. This highlights the need for comprehensive support and strategic planning when supplying military equipment to countries in conflict.
As Germany continues to navigate its defense supply policy and support for Ukraine, the lessons learned from the challenges faced with the Leopard 2 tanks underscore the importance of preparedness and adaptability in providing effective military assistance.
