First Ukrainians in Germany
Leopard training is scheduled to start next week
2/11/2023 8:51 p.m
The Russian offensive in Ukraine is underway, the German Leopard 2 battle tanks are eagerly awaited. According to a media report, the training should start shortly. The first Ukrainian tank drivers have arrived in Germany.
According to a media report, the training of Ukrainian soldiers on the German Leopard 2 battle tank is to begin next week. The “Spiegel” reports that the first teams have already arrived in Germany after being flown in by military planes from Poland. According to the report, they should then be briefed at the Munster military training area in six to eight weeks. In peacetime, training lasts several years. It’s not just about controlling the tank, but above all about using it in conjunction with other types of weapons.
At least joint action with German infantry fighting vehicles should be practiced in Munster, according to “Spiegel”. Accordingly, Ukrainians are already being trained there on the marten, which is also to be delivered to the war country. If everything goes according to plan, the Ukrainians should return to the front at the end of March – with the German tanks. According to the report, a total of 1,500 Ukrainians in Germany have already been instructed in German and Western weapon systems.
Also Leopard 1 approved
Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced in January that Germany would deliver 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Ukraine. He also allowed other countries to do the same. A total of 13 countries use the Leopard, in Europe there are more than 2000 of them. Scholz announced his decision after the Americans had also agreed to supply tanks themselves. A total of 90 Leopard 2 are now to go to the Ukraine. In February, the German government then approved the export of 100 Leopard 1 tanks, which were outdated by Western standards. 20 to 25 of them should arrive on site by the summer.
Battle tanks are urgently needed in Ukraine to repel Russian attacks and conduct counterattacks. The expected spring offensive by the Kremlin troops has apparently already begun. In the meantime, the delivery of combat aircraft is being debated in Europe. The widely used US model F-16, which is also used by several European countries but not by the Bundeswehr, is under discussion.