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The Leopard 2 tanks are far from all the heavy equipment that Ukraine can get from its Western allies. Based on public data and statements from different countries, we can talk about more than 200 units. Yury Fyodorov, Candidate of Historical Sciences, Professor of the University of Prague, military expert, said this on the air of the FREEDOM TV channel.
“The 105 units of Leopards promised by certain European countries are far from all the tank equipment that can be transferred to Ukraine. Firstly, there are also modernized T-72 tanks, which are now being put in order in the Czech Republic. They are equipped with a new engine, thermal imagers and some other equipment are installed. There are about 120 of these tanks, together with the tanks transferred by the Netherlands. That is, in addition to a hundred with a small Leopards, 120 modernized T-72 units must also be added, ”the expert said.
According to him, the T-72 tanks are not as modern and of high quality as the Leopards, but they are quite combat-ready.
Fedorov also recalled that there are reports of Sweden’s readiness to transfer tanks to Ukraine.
“Sweden is considering transferring 50 of its Stridsvagn 122 tanks. This is, in fact, the Swedish version of the same Leopard. But a little more modernized, compared to the version of the model that is allowed to be produced under license in Sweden. So the number of tanks, according to the figures that we know, reaches somewhere around more than 200 units, ”said the guest on the air.
The military expert explained how the provision of tanks with components from allied countries to Ukraine can change the situation at the front.
According to him, the number of tanks mentioned above is about two full-fledged tank brigades.
“If they are concentrated on a fairly narrow sector of the front, where the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is planned, these tanks can represent such an armored fist that, after artillery preparation, will break through the defense of the Russians and will be able to ensure the exit of the already significant forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the operational rear,” he explained. Fedorov.
He also drew attention to the fact that it is still difficult to say in which direction the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is planning such an offensive.
“Probably, several dozen people in the top military and political leadership of Ukraine know this. But be that as it may, these tanks plus infantry fighting vehicles, and this is the Bradley, the German “Marders”, this is a significant force that, I repeat, can break through the enemy’s defenses. Unless, of course, this offensive is properly prepared both from an operational and technical point of view, ”Fyodorov concluded.
Earlier, military observer and former speaker of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vladislav Seleznev said that in a few months the Armed Forces of Ukraine would launch a counteroffensive – as soon as the tanks and other weapons declared by partners would arrive on the territory of the country.
