A Leopard 2 A6 battle tank. Bloomberg
A Leopard 2 A6 battle tank. Bloomberg
A Leopard 2 A6 battle tank. Bloomberg
A Leopard 2 A6 battle tank. Bloomberg

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UK increases pressure on Germany to supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

Baroness Goldie did not rule out sending Ukraine more Challenger 2 tanks in addition to 14 already pledged

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

January 18, 2023

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A UK defence minister has increased the pressure on Germany to add to its military aid to Ukraine, saying it would be a “quantum step” if Berlin gave Leopard 2 tanks to the war-torn country.

Minister of State for Defence Baroness Annabel Goldie told Parliament that such support would be a “very significant step forward”.

The Tory frontbencher did not rule out the UK sending more Challenger 2 tanks in support of the Ukrainian government, in addition to the 14 already promised.

Her comments came ahead of a meeting of allies at Ramstein Air Base in western Germany, to be hosted by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.

It was to be attended by Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and the Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

Former Labour MP Baroness Gisela Stuart of Edgbaston urged Mr Wallace to push for a commitment on Leopard 2 tanks when he meets the German Defence Minister at the summit.

Drones and weapons supplied to Ukraine - in pictures

  • Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP
    Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP
  • The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP
    The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP
  • Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP
    Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP
  • Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters
    Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters
  • FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army
    FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army
  • Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP
    Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP
  • The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA
    The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA
  • M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA
    M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA
  • Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA
    Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA
  • Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg
    Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg
  • Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA
    Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA
  • France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP
    France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP
  • Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters
    Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters
  • The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images
    The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images
  • Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP
    Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP
  • The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP
    The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP
  • Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images
    Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images
  • Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters
    Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters

The independent crossbencher served on the intelligence and security committee and is the current chairwoman of Wilton Park, an executive agency of the Foreign Office.

“Because without that contribution, which is comprehensive, Ukraine will not get the response it needs and deserves,” Baroness Stuart said.

Lady Goldie said: “I think there is a lot of sympathy with the point she makes.

“There is a recognition that despite the donation of tanks to date … there is a quantum step that could be taken with the addition of the Leopard tanks."

Labour peer Viscount Stansgate, son of the late left-wing firebrand Tony Benn, said: “If the provision of these Challenger 2 tanks is thought to be a success, is it the government’s intention to provide further such tanks to Ukraine?”

Russia and Ukraine conflict latest - in pictures

  • A tank, seen left, fires a round in Soledar, a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters
    A tank, seen left, fires a round in Soledar, a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters
  • Tank fire in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
    Tank fire in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
  • Firefighters work to put out a blaze at a Kharkiv fireworks storage site after it was struck by a Russian missile. Getty
    Firefighters work to put out a blaze at a Kharkiv fireworks storage site after it was struck by a Russian missile. Getty
  • Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, visits his troops on the frontline in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
    Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's ground forces, visits his troops on the frontline in Soledar, Donetsk. Reuters
  • A Ukrainian flag attached to a tank flutters in the wind in Bakhmut. Reuters
    A Ukrainian flag attached to a tank flutters in the wind in Bakhmut. Reuters
  • A specialist from an emergency crew works on a residential building in Donetsk that was damaged in recent shelling. Reuters
    A specialist from an emergency crew works on a residential building in Donetsk that was damaged in recent shelling. Reuters
  • A missile fragment left by shelling in Russian-controlled Donetsk. AP
    A missile fragment left by shelling in Russian-controlled Donetsk. AP
  • Residents remove debris and carry their belongings out of a building destroyed by recent shelling in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
    Residents remove debris and carry their belongings out of a building destroyed by recent shelling in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
  • Ukrainian forces fire an anti-aircraft weapon as Russia's attack on the frontline city of Bakhmut continues. Reuters
    Ukrainian forces fire an anti-aircraft weapon as Russia's attack on the frontline city of Bakhmut continues. Reuters
  • A car drives past a destroyed building purported to have been used as temporary accommodation for Russian soldiers, dozens of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
    A car drives past a destroyed building purported to have been used as temporary accommodation for Russian soldiers, dozens of whom were killed in a Ukrainian missile strike in Makiivka, Russian-controlled Ukraine. Reuters
  • The site of a temporary barracks for Russian soldiers in Makiivka, which was destroyed in a Ukrainian missile attack. Reuters
    The site of a temporary barracks for Russian soldiers in Makiivka, which was destroyed in a Ukrainian missile attack. Reuters
  • A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade from the battlefield to a hospital in the Donetsk region. AP
    A Ukrainian serviceman carries his injured comrade from the battlefield to a hospital in the Donetsk region. AP
  • Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region. AP
    Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region. AP

Lady Goldie said: “We constantly review what the assessed need is.

“Part of this is, in a sense, what in aggregate we can achieve with individual contributions. There are other countries donating tanks. I think the addition of Leopard tanks would be a very significant step forward."

Liberal Democrat former leader Lord Menzies Campbell of Pittenweem said: “The House supports without qualification the supply of arms to Ukraine.

“But are we not entitled to credible evidence that the government is even now replenishing our own stock of military equipment so as to maintain now the credibility and capability of our own armed forces?”

Lady Goldie replied: “Certainly we are confident that we have retained sufficient equipment, ammunitions, so we are able to undertake our primary responsibilities in the security of the United Kingdom."

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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

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Updated: January 18, 2023, 9:56 PM
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