KYIV — Ukraine will obtain 120 to 140 Western tanks in a “first wave” of deliveries from a coalition of 12 international locations, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba mentioned on Tuesday.
Kyiv secured pledges from the West this month to produce essential battle tanks to assist fend off Russia’s full-scale invasion, with Moscow mounting large efforts to make incremental advances in japanese Ukraine.
“The tank coalition now has 12 members. I can note that in the first wave of contributions, the Ukrainian armed forces will receive between 120 and 140 Western-model tanks,” Kuleba mentioned throughout a web based briefing.
He mentioned these tanks would come with the German Leopard 2, the British Challenger 2, and the US M1 Abrams, and that Ukraine was additionally “really counting” on provides of French Leclerc tanks being agreed.
Kuleba gave no timeline for any of the deliveries. Time can even be wanted for coaching with the tanks.
Kuleba mentioned Kyiv was working behind the scenes to win over extra international locations to produce tanks at what officers say is a vital time within the battle.
“… We continue to work on both expanding the membership of the tank coalition and increasing the contributions of those already pledged,” he mentioned.
Kyiv plans to launch a serious counteroffensive to recapture swathes of territory taken by Russia within the south and east of the nation.
The United States has instructed Kyiv to carry off on these plans till Western navy help has arrived in Ukraine.
Ukraine can be involved that Russia may launch its personal main offensive within the coming weeks or months. — Reuters
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
