According to Wijninga, Germany has always hobbled over two decisions: to supply the Leopards itself and to grant permission to other countries to supply the tanks. ‘The latter has now apparently happened, although it is not formal. According to Baerbock, there is no official request from Poland, which is strange because Poland has clearly stated that it wants to hand over.’ According to Wijninga, when Poland and Finland decide to deliver, it will be about thirty tanks. “Added to the 14 Challengers that the British will deliver, it’s a bit disappointing.”
Former GDR against delivery
According to Wijninga, Germany understands the irritation among allies, but the country is in an uneasy divide because the German population is sharply divided over the supply. Also, a geographic divide: the former GDR in the east is against handing over, which Wijninga finds strange given the East Germans’ experience with the Russians.
‘A bad situation, as a German government you have to take this into account. They should ask themselves whether they are playing into the hands of the Russians. It is a reality that Germany has to deal with. Too bad also for the new defense minister Pistorius, who as a parliamentarian was in favor of the handover. Putin secretly laughs under his mustache.’
Mixed bag
It is debatable to what extent it is desirable for the Armed Forces of Ukraine to have to fight with such a diverse arsenal, but they have no choice. “Ukrainians have no choice but it is becoming a mixed bag of things. It is difficult to standardize because different countries make different contributions. The ammunition is all NATO standard, so it should be easy, logistically it’s a huge challenge.’
It doesn’t matter that all those different tanks add weight: “If you concentrate those tanks in a good combination with infantry fighting vehicles, then you can do something.” Then you can force a turn. They also have hundreds of Soviet tanks, they’re not toothless, but that’s not the desired number.”
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