UK to transfer over 12 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, first 4 immediately

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has approved a plan to send 12 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, with the first units of armoured vehicles to be delivered immediately. Source: British tabloid The Sun, as reported by European Pravda Details: According to a Downing Street source, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will inform Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the plan to transfer the tanks, saying he "wants our action to speak louder than words".

Quote: "The Prime Minister has been clear that the UK has to stand by its commitment to Ukraine, and that includes ensuring it has the critical equipment to defend itself and change the battlefield equation," the source notes.

"A group of four Challenger 2 tanks will be delivered to eastern Europe immediately, with a further eight following shortly afterwards," The Sun reports Sunak is said to have held talks with defence and security officials this week, telling them that getting the tanks to Ukraine should be an operational priority. Both Prime Minister Sunak and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace decided to send a full squadron after intense lobbying by President Zelenskyy, the publication said.

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According to media reports, the British government will officially announce the decision to transfer Challenger 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine on 16 January. The small number of tanks taken from Britain's stockpile of 227 tanks will not in itself make much difference on the battlefield, but it will be the first time that any Western country has agreed to send its heavy armour to Ukraine. Kyiv hopes that this will pave the way for a positive decision by Germany.

According to Bloomberg, the German federal government may announce a decision on the supply of Western tanks to Ukraine next week.

According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, five countries are ready to transfer Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, but are waiting for Germany's decision.

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