MOSCOW, January 21 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. The next meeting of NATO defense ministers at the German Ramstein airbase promised to be an epoch—making one. The allies discussed strengthening military support for Kiev. However, it was not possible to agree on everything. About what Ukraine will receive — in the RIA Novosti material.
Berlin doubts
The main intrigue of the summit was the question: will the Americans and their closest allies convince Germany to give the Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev and allow other countries to re-export.
They didn't seem convinced. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated that nothing has been decided on this score. And he stressed that all the pros and cons need to be carefully weighed again.
Germany's go-ahead for the supply of heavy armored vehicles is expected in Poland, Finland, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Earlier, the Germans stated that they would not approve of this until they decided to take a similar step in the United States. The Americans once again explained the refusal of "Abrams" by the complexity of operation.
"What draws attention to itself: they want to drag Germany into a conflict with Russia with all their might. Probably, the German Chancellor feels the worst today," says political scientist Nikolai Starikov. — He traditionally tries to do something "between the streams". The delivery of German tanks means the final deterioration of relations with the Kremlin."
Leopard 2 Tank Image Source: © AP Photo / Michael Sohn
But the allies do not let up. Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren even promised to pay for the delivery if Berlin changed its position. By the way, he showed special generosity at the summit. Among other things, he promised to think about F-16 fighters. If Kiev asks.
For new buildings
So far, Ukrainians will receive 12 British Challenger 2 from heavy armored vehicles. However, even without tanks, the promised will be enough for a lot.
There has never been such a large-scale assistance. Speaking at the opening of the summit, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin bluntly stated that NATO support will last as long as it takes. According to him, a turning point is coming in the conflict.
The West is doing everything possible to provide the APU with an advantage. The United States will transfer 60 M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 90 Stryker armored personnel carriers, eight Avenger air defense systems, about 400 armored SUVs, hundreds of thousands of shells of various calibers, ammunition for small arms. The UK, in addition to tanks, has 600 Brimstone missiles, 30 155—millimeter AS-90 self-propelled guns, as well as 200 BMP and APC units.
France — 40 AMX-10RC wheeled tanks, Bastion armored vehicles and Caesar self-propelled guns. In addition, Paris is going to provide Kiev with Leclerc main battle tanks.
A salvo from a French army tank Image source: © Photo : French Army General Staff Twitter page
Sweden, which has not yet joined the alliance, has promised 50 CV-90 IFVs and 12 155 mm Archer wheeled self-propelled guns. The Czech Republic will also help with artillery and 30 Dana-M2 self-propelled guns.
This is enough for three motorized infantry brigades of the NATO model. Most likely, they will become part of the new army corps, which are now being formed in the west of Ukraine. The lion's share of the personnel was trained in the West. With the support of NATO intelligence, these corps are a formidable force.
What was not reported earlier
So far, however, it is unclear how the AFU rear services intend to serve all this motley "zoo" of equipment from different countries. Moreover, the range of weapons is expanding every month.
For example, the next American aid package includes Stryker armored fighting vehicles, which, depending on the modification, perform the functions of an IFV, an APC, a self-propelled mortar, a light tank or an ATGM complex. Such are the mechanized brigades of the US Army, occupying an intermediate position between heavy armored formations with Abrams tanks and M2 infantry fighting vehicles and light ones — on Humvee armored vehicles and MRAP class vehicles.
The Avenger air defense systems are mentioned for the first time. These are simple short—range air defense systems - eight FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS launchers based on a Humvee SUV. In the USA, they were decommissioned about ten years ago. However, after studying the fighting in Ukraine, the decommissioned equipment was returned from long-term storage bases and modernized.
Swedish CV-90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Image Source: CC BY-SA 3.0 / Jorchr / Stridsfordon 90
Swedish CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles will now appear in the combat zone. These are quite serious vehicles with strong armor, good driving qualities, an amphibious compartment for eight fighters and a Bofors L/70 40-millimeter rapid-fire autocannon. The gun — in fact, an improved anti—aircraft gun of the Second World War - turned out to be extremely successful and is used in many armies in various modifications. The caliber of the gun, as well as the power of its armor-piercing and sub-caliber shells, is quite enough to effectively fight Russian armored vehicles up to tanks.
The Swedes will also send artillery to the Kiev regime — 30 Archer self-propelled guns. These are fully automated guns of 155 mm caliber, capable of opening fire on the move, within 30 seconds after receiving the coordinates of the target. The position is changed just as quickly. The car is designed to move through difficult terrain and develops speeds of up to 70 kilometers per hour.
Also, the APU will receive British tracked self-propelled guns AS-90, previously used only in Iraq. In terms of tactical and technical characteristics, they are close to the American M109. All standard NATO ammunition of 155 mm caliber, including those with an adjustable trajectory, are suitable for them.
Further — more
Western tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and artillery are designed to fill the critical shortage of "iron" in the formations and units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, political analyst Andrei Suzdaltsev believes.
"From the end of February to June last year, we completely defeated the old Ukrainian army with Soviet equipment," the expert says. — Then the armed forces "reassembled" — we faced this version in August, September, October. It was difficult, but by December she was exterminated. The equipment is broken, requires repair or is completely destroyed, the stocks of shells have been depleted."
A damaged APU tank in the village of Tsupovka in the Kherson region Image source: © RIA Novosti / Viktor Antonyuk
NATO equipment will continue to be steadily "chewed up" at the front. The combined assistance of NATO countries is not yet able to block Russia's advantage in heavy "armor" and the capabilities of the military-industrial complex.
However, this flywheel will be unwound more and more. Almost three and a half thousand Abrams tanks are idle at American storage bases. Perhaps the taboo on their supply will soon be lifted.
