![]() ![]() They also need support from infantry and other armoured vehicles, while commanders on the ground need training in the tactics of such combined arms. ![]() Tanks are not war-winning weapons by themselves, however, although heavy tracked armour is critical to mounting any kind of offensive across open terrain against entrenched Russian positions, not least because they can continue to advance once they meet the inevitable resistance. Meanwhile, Moscow is so heavily embroiled in Ukraine that the idea it could retaliate militarily against Nato members (and so risk a Nato response) is hard to believe, beyond perhaps carrying out some cyber-attacks. The propaganda value for the Kremlin is obvious – it wants to paint Russia as locked in a war with Nato to rally support among its own population – but that is not threatening for the west. Germany has long been concerned about how Russia might respond, not least because of the long memory of the second world war. That could eventually surpass the 100 that the IISS thinktank has suggested would be needed to have some impact on the battlefield, although well below the 300 Ukraine has said it needs to win the war. Norway is ready to send eight Leopards and the Netherlands may offer 18, while Finland, Denmark and Spain all appear ready to join in – and France may offer some Leclerc tanks too. Britain wants to send 14 of its Challenger 2s. ![]() Germany has promised a company of 14 of its Leopard 2s and will allow Poland to send 14 more. However, even if the Abrams take months to arrive, it is beginning to look like Ukraine will be promised a meaningful number of tanks in relatively short order. ![]()
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