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Berlin plans to send tanks and armoured vehicles to Ukraine following intense US pressure.
Written by Ahmed Adel, Cairo-based geopolitics and political economy researcher
Titled “Defending peace and freedom in Europe — Supporting Ukraine resolutely with heavy weapons now,” the German Bundestag is set to approve the resolution to deliver weapons to Ukraine. Debate around this topic has also exposed cracks in the governing coalition, and many deputies from the Greens and the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP) are in favour of providing more military assistance to Ukraine.
Berlin will likely supply Ukraine with tanks and heavy armored vehicles. This is despite the fact that the supply of these weapons will not change the course of the war and will instead lead to an even greater shortage of weapons in European warehouses and the German military.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on the government and NATO members to provide Kiev with tanks and heavy armored vehicles. According to her, the delivery of weapons cannot be delayed since “Ukraine is at the turning point of the military campaign.”
As the German tabloid Bild writes, a large part of the government is in favour of supplying Ukraine with additional weapons, including Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 tanks, Marder armored vehicles, and Fuchs armored personnel carriers. With the delivery of this military equipment, it is evident that Berlin plans to supply Kiev with old weapons.
Leopard 1 are extremely old tanks, which were produced in the 1960s. As for Leopard 2, these are slightly better and more modern tanks, which is not only in service in Germany, but also in Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and Turkey.
The Marder is a light armored vehicle that has been in service with the German army since the 1970s, with its high speed being its main feature. However, Marder cannot withstand the impact of shells and is used exclusively for transporting infantry as it only has a 20 mm automatic cannon, two 7.62 mm machine guns and a Milan anti-armor system.
For the transport of infantry, Berlin plans to deliver the Fuchs armored personnel carriers, which have been in use since 1979. The German military has about 360 vehicles of this type in various modifications. They were actively used in Afghanistan to transport soldiers and equipment on the battlefield, reconnaissance and electronic interception.
The problem is that Germany does not have enough of these weapons to deliver to Ukraine without affecting its own stock and European security. All arms deliveries are made from European warehouses. Previously, weapons were taken from warehouses for use in various armed conflicts, in which many countries participated under the auspices of the US, such as in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
The Germans are under intense US pressure, which has led to their capitulation to deliver tanks and armored vehicles to Ukraine. These tanks though, as well as self-propelled artillery carriers, have yet to be produced in large quantities as it takes a lot of time. It takes 65 months to produce 100 tanks, meaning that the Germans could only start supplying Ukraine with modern heavy weapons in a serious or game changing manner in about three years, when the war is likely to be long over.
It is recalled that in an interview with Bild am Sontag newspaper, Baerbock stated that Germany intends to help Ukraine as much as necessary, but for now it cannot deliver everything that Kiev wants. Baerbock added that she understands that Ukrainians want faster and larger deliveries.
“But our inventory does not have the large quantities of currently needed functional, modern systems ready to ship. We also promised our partners in the Baltics that we will protect every corner of NATO territory,” the minister stressed.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, publicly shamed Berlin, asking why it was backtracking on a pledge made to send these weapons to Ukraine.
“Disappointing signals from Germany while Ukraine needs Leopards and Marders now — to liberate people and save them from genocide,” Kuleba said on Twitter on September 13, adding that there was “not a single rational argument on why these weapons can not be supplied, only abstract fears and excuses.”
“What is Berlin afraid of that Kyiv is not?” he added.
It is recalled that in April, Berlin promised to give Leopard tanks and Marders to Ukraine. This evolved into a swap scheme that would see NATO members, such as Poland and Slovakia, send Ukraine their old Soviet-era tanks so Germany could replace their stocks with modern equivalent weapons. The logic behind this is that the Ukrainian military were used to operating Soviet-era weapons.
The plan has largely failed to materialise and Berlin is now being criticised domestically and externally, particularly from a Ukraine acting in an entitled manner. It now seems like Berlin has capitulated to the pressure and the humiliation and will deliver the weapons, but this comes at the price of risking its own security.
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Slovenian tanks!
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Slovenian tanks manned by doped up, slovenly Ukrops.
BTW: Why was Slovenia able to extraconstitutionally secede from Yugoslavia without causing a western stir and spark the Balkan Wars when Crimea was not honored with the same rights? Did Biden ever address that question? Silly me, of course not.
If he had to answer and happened to be on his consciousness meds, he might have let slip out “We wanted to dismember Yugoslavia but we want to keep Ukraine intact.”
Good. I will become the slave for thousand years to anyone who trows a bomb on the Russians.
If you are talking about an atomic bomb – this is simply impossible. Russia is covered by a multi layer defense system which includes S-550s, S-500s and many other systems. Impenetrable. Further, the early launching detection systems will also immediately destroy NATOs satellites and start a counterstrike on NATO targets (which are already pre-locked).
time to build a new Ocean North of Mexico, I would call it the American Ocean
Very optimistic
Even if a few slipped through, Russia has the will to go all in and in worst case, the deadman’s hand, guaranteeing the west’s annihilation.
NATO will let Ukraine sink before push comes to shove. That’s a given.
Dipshit you already are a slave stupid eunuch boy from Ergodan’s harem
“Germany” has no choice. The Ukronazi army was the largest, best equipped battle hardened fighters NATO had to use against Russia. They are getting slaughtered. The German woman led, woman integrated fighting units couldn’t fight their way off their bases let alone a superior enemy force like the Russians.
It’s all in with the Ukronazis, or die, because they had nothing to defend themselves with against Russia even before the war in Bandera/Ukronazia…
May I live to see the day when the UK ceases to exist because of ONE tsunami bomb, and the EU in toto, just by them starving and freezing to death in the dark… if not this winter, next winter.
Die EU/UK/US die. Schadenfreude is a thing. It’s great!
This is in synthesis the gist of the entire NATO strategy. A cuck force of Eurofags and Americunt low-life slimes couldn’t defeat a legitimate opponent even if they were paid off by Langley. Ukraine was their only hope of tying down Russia. In the process, they’ve thrown everything plus the kitchen sink at Russia and now, the blowback will hit them harder than a wrought iron anvil in the head. Sholz is a beta homo as are most EU leaders.
So far Russia has not even met us. We have been too nice only giving the Ukras moderne Nato Leadership in more horisonthal and flexible version.
Compared to Russia they are much more flexible in opportunistic.
That of coirse is added moderne tools such as better communication to fast react, drones and small missels.
That wasnt enough, so long distance things was needed too.
Ukranian military forces are fighters as Nato on vacation.
Its no Nato strategy. Ukraine became a country because itwas a promise to all of use, they only should be able to defend themself.
THEY DO.
“Its no Nato strategy. Ukraine became a country because itwas a promise to all of use, they only should be able to defend themself.???”
Ukraine became a country because Lenin, Stalin and Krushchev made it one by bolshevik/communist edict. No wonder it’s unravelling.
Then the US came along and decided Bolshevik totalitarian edicts and neoNazi hyper-nationalism somehow complemented each other in furthering America’s rather bizarre national interests.
The most obvious conclusion one can draw from a history of such associations is that the US is enamored of totalitarian regimes, as long as they, again bizarrely, seem to further American interests.
The second most obvious conclusion is that America suffers from a rotating bunch of psychopaths running its ‘national interest bandwagon’ and sorely needs a tune up.
The US only came along to re-establish Khazaria, and no for other reason.
Scholz is a pathetic little worm, just like that Borrell clown. I don’t even know if he believes all the crap he spews or is just told to mouth it. Europe is cooked.
Same globalist banking cartels that backed Hitler now back Biden are Germans destined to become dark skinned servants of the globalists or do they even have a choice ? can any remember Dresden ? and now wish that on others.
If any remember Dresden they must be pretty old.
Even Russian teenagers know very well family memories of Stalingrad.
It should be titled “Russia risks its own security by providing oil and coal to Germany who in turn sends weapons to kill Russian troops! ” That would be a better title. Maybe its time for the Russians to cut europe off all together ……….. Its going to happen anyway why give them years to find alternatives and ease the pain. pathetic really. It would be a lot harder to get those weapons to Ukraine if there were too little fuel!
Very good idea. We still has some DRR wall left over and will donate billion to make it better at Your own borders.
We all would like to help by sending all ruusian landmines found in Ukraine too.
At least the Russians know where they put their landmines, unlike the Ukrainians who just throw them helter skelter and hope they keep killing ethnic Russian Ukrainians well into the next generation and who in fits of suicidal melancholy or drunken stupors, keep running over them themselves.
Germany is to send the “Gepard ” anti aircraft tank of which it has stocks – two 35mm cannon -phased out 10 years ago -parked at defence company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann – SWitzerland has the ammo but has banned exports of ammo to Ukraine .
the article is correct in that the USA browbeat German Scholz ( obviously a weak minded guy ) to deliver “more modern ” weapons this tank is complex to use and maintenance is highly technical .
Mader infantry vehicles also to be sent – Leopard tanks although having a good reputation are old design but still require extensive training to operate– yes Germany will be depleting its stock of heavy duty military hardware –it didn’t win WW1 nor WW2 against Russia and now American Zionism is forcing it to start a war with Russia –while sitting back eating popcorn and watch the outright Mugs of Germany destroy their whole economy and society.
True Europe and Germany didn’t invest enough in their defense. But for the coming years they have nothing to fear. Russia has hardly a leg to stand on, it needs 300 000 men extra to hold the lines in Ukraine.
Russia is standing on both legs – it will not freeze- it will not starve but the EU will – Hungary is not so stupid just signed contract for $7 billion with China to build massive factory making electric car batteries — against the advice of stupid Scholz and his American owner.
Scholz, the silliest man to walk the streets of Berlin in at least the last two centuries.
A good and true one.
Germany needs to send a few Panzer 2 from museums to Ukros🐷 so they can finally feel like real Nazis
Its show Your low lewel of knowledge well.
Talking about knowledge while making so many grammar mistakes… Being an idiot is, indeed, a privilege.
Let me at least help a bit there: It shows your reduced level of knowledge clearly.
So enlighten us. Enlighten us in your pig latin ways, why Ukronazis are not really nazis at all but just harmless roll-playing characters the way children and Ukrainian and Canadian and dare I say, American leaders like to do.
I’m all ears.
Why do you speak like a member of some remote tribe in the Amazonian rainforest?
PS: Please don’t eat me. I don’t swing that way.
Increasing hits needed!
German as well as all European defense firms are full of corruption, in bed with Zionist Israel and have no clear strategy since the USSA will not allow it. Production-wise they can’t build anything without decades of R&D and gargantuan sums of money. In an all-out war, they will lose almost immediately since they will go to war with whatever they have in left in stock.
Any map says we are the least corrupt countries in the whole world.
We are not the ones, which has collapsed Ourself. Give a link to something better.
I thought maps showed geography. Has even mapmaking become corrupted now?
Rule in business:
Don’t put good money (=still owned), where bad money(=wasted) went.
US wants only its own models left in the EU, to force dependence.
I see none of that. You dont understand how Westren Economics work. We own them too.
Our models in most ways are decided by EU to make us a little more homogene. Thats why we stop Mr & Mrs Urban and his corruption and money theft.
We help each other and thats a cpuntry thing and no help for Urban private economy
No help for the private economy?
So that’s who you are, a communist dedicated to destroying private business. So that’s why you’re a sanctions cheerleader. Now I understand everything, in spite of your terrible English.
Increasing hits for german tanks
Leopard 1 may be an old tank, but its a comparably good one. It does NOT have gun stabilization though. It cannot fire (accurately) in movement. It’s on par with the T-62, despite looking more modern. Slightly better maybe? Fuchs troop transport tank is outdated, but solid. The Marder IFV is fine. The Bundeswehr had no other IFV until 2010 and is still using it, atm getting replaced by Puma IFVs. Its a better IFV than the American Bradley IFV in almost everything than for fighting armored vehicles and fighting positions directly (however, it can be equipped with antitank rockets and usually the mechanized infantry group inside, in the German formation, has both Panzerfaust 3 and anti-tank missles, either guided missles or fire-and-forget missles). It’s superior in fighting INFANTRY to the Bradley. Especially the newer issues Marder A4, A5, A5A1. The A5A1 version is fully networked with screens and remote control for machine gun etc (as secondary weapon to the main gun).
Leopard 2: some considered it, the Leo2A5 version, the best tank until the Russian Armata tank.
It’s weak points are, obviously, the sides, the top and the back.
DEAR RUSSIANS, if you get drafted into the army atm or might soon be:
read up some field manuals you find on the internet, to understand NATO tactics. That is, if you can grasp information quickly. Most US field manuals are useless unless you see the information in the bigger picture (officer rank) but that’s not true for the infantry field manuals, especially the US Army Ranger handbook.
The Ukros are getting trained by NATO!
Important principles of the Western infantry, especially German trained, and for the overall tactics are:
-Fire and movement: (ideally) no firing without movement, definitely no movement without cover fire. That’s (ideally) even true for tank movements (in combat) or at least taking cover fire positions within combat zones and danger zones.
-Establishing fire superiority, concentration of fire. Idk about Russia, but in the West they tend to only hold the enemy at bay in the broad formation but there will be a fire concentration point, usually either at the flanks or at a breakthrough point. Usually the weakest point, if they can choose.
-Situational awareness: Always know whats going on around you – where would you do a surprise attack or an ambush if you were your own enemy! Think! Look around, scan the horizon!
Also:
-Move, if you can, from cover to cover – not just while under fire, but when in a danger zone where enemy presence is at least possible. Take advantage of the terrain.
-Idk about British or American trained troops, and they are overrated believe me, but German trained soldiers heavily hide their fighting positions. I saw Russian and American soldiers in training videos on youtube not removing the excavation (the earth) from a fox hole – which gives away the defensive position. German trained Ukros will do it.
-In a defended position, German trained Ukros might employ “Stilles Feuer”, silent fire. That is, a few positions will not fire until Russian break in and than ambush you from behind from their hidden positions, that did not fire maybe for several hours.
-They are trained to have several fighting positions in defense prepared which they change in the middle of combat, if possible.
-If possible, they will try counterstrikes after you conquered some major positions of them.
-They tend to have reserve and counterstrike units behind the foremost front lines.
-They might employ reconnaissance by combat, that is: attack not for the purpose to clear or even hold your positions, but to test your resolve, your numerical strength and to identify your defensive positions.
-They love to launch false attacks here, to attack in ernest somewhere else, to divert reserve troops etc.
-Western operation and strategy (brigade, division level and bigger) is heavily based on cybernetic principles, that is: concentration points, weights and how to distribute forces alongside weak and strong points in the overall “system” of the frontline.
-Western tactics (battalion, company, platoon level) tends to be “leading from the front”, “leading by example”. Mission tactics: the officer is free to achieve the set goals as he sees fit.
-Weak points are ambushed. Germans call this “Handstreich” (“coup de main” in French), coup of the hand. But usually its called “unplanned raid”, in English. If an officer sees an opportunity it is taken.
-Again, German infantry also loves ambushes. Especially as a fire raid (all hold fire and then all fire at once to destroy you quickly).
-When marching by foot, the German trained soldiers do no walk a stright line from A to B but are always trained in exfiltration tactics, even non-infantry. That is: they walk in zigzag lines say within a forest – and always at least 10 meters from the forest outer border, for camouflaging reasons. They don’t rest or stand in sunlight, but in the shadows.
-German tanks: Think of the destroyed Leopard 2 of Turkey in Syria! The Leopard2 is heavily armored in the front, like many battle tanks, but weak on the sides, top, below (mines) and from behind. Supposedly you can fire with a Kalashnikov into the grid of the exhaust and with some look even hit the engine, disabling the tank with a simple rifle. But I wouldn’t try it if I didn’t absolutely had to.
-Get as fit as you can physically! Harden yourself! I don’t know the Russian training or field manuals. As to the German manuals: if someone sticks to them, it works.
Snipers:
-There are, in NATO, two levels of snipers. The real snipers and the DMR riflemen. Every infantry unit, if the Ukros now follow the NATO principles, will have an DMR rifleman. That is: they have a very good precision rifle with the proper lenses and training in returning fire against a real sniper, also taking out Russian infantry etc. from afar, from the flanks, from hidden firing positions lets say within a town, whatever…
-Real snipers work separated from the normal infantry units in teams of 2 or 3, waiting sometimes weeks to take an important shot. There are videos on youtube etc. for more information.
Please, friends, have situational awareness.
I hope many read this. Here Russian stuff always is perfect and anything from here is crap.
You also tell a lot is about level for drivers licence. The Russian ones are very short.
The Russian infantery is very low educated as well. I only can compare with the danish/brittish on in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many many Nato soldiers are spetznas class.
We also has so many being in the military forces for many more years. By that we can give more better back to the newer ones and do.
There goes silly jens pontificating out of his arse again.
BTW: Do you know how difficult it is to get a US driver’s license? About an IQ of 12 for the written test and a dedicated effort to not be high during the road test.
Russia is losing this war because Russians are sick and tired of militarism and corrupted lousy oligarchs.
Your avatar shows your religion.
No big loss to Europe’s security. Russia would never bother invading Europe. If push ever came to shove, it’d just nuke them.
Germany will do anything for green energy because they want to save the planet.
Even if (and right now, it’s a big IF) NATO were to provide more advance or recent platforms like the Leopard 2 (and accompanying variants), the UAF will need direct NATO logistical and maintenance back up. And that will involve more NATO personnel in harm’s way.
Russians should kill them all.
Z all day, all the way!
Germany must stop sending arm for Ukraine because Ukrainian will use Germany weapons for killing and genicide hundred thousand of innocent peoples in Donbas
Germany is burying Europe by playing the USA game with “sanctions” against Russia AND feeding the Ukronazy meat grinder.
Z all the way!
Die BRD ist eine billige, dreckige Schlampe die für die USA anschaffen geht.
Deutschland ist so traumatisiert von ihrer Nazi Vergangenheit, dass sie sich vom Westen schamlos erniedrigen lässt. Dabei kann sie nicht (oder will sie nicht) sehen, dass die USA sie nur ausnutzen will. Bedauernswert.
German leadership isn’t serving German interests anyway. They don’t care about the Heimat. The only thing that counts is pleasing uncle Sam.