Leopard 2 tanks and Ukraine’s war – Keeping an Eye on the Geopolitical Ball

This week on Keeping an Eye on the Geopolitical Ball, Jamie Shea, Senior Fellow at Friends of Europe, focuses on the Leopard 2 tanks that may be sent to Ukraine following the demands of President Zelensky for deliveries of 300 tanks and 600 infantry armoured vehicles by Western countries. Shea reminds us that Germany is the key actor in the possible delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, as Leopard 2 are German tanks and most of them are actually owned by Germany. He also notices that the war in Ukraine can be considered as a 20th century war through the use of many tanks, trenches and artillery. Ukraine considers Leopard 2 as the best tank option as the training to control them is quite fast and they have an economical consumption of diesel. Jamie Shea details that a lot depends on Germany regarding the delivery of Leopard 2 as Germany owns the licence for using them and the companies for their maintenance are located in Germany. Nevertheless, Leopard 2 will not win the war alone, a combination of weapons to be used in a clever strategy must be delivered to Ukraine.