Britain mulling supply of Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine for first time: Report

The British government is reportedly considering supplying tanks to Ukraine for the first time to help Kiev forces in the war with Russian troops, defying Moscow’s repeated calls for an end to funneling Western arms in the protracted conflict.

The UK broadcaster Sky News, quoting a Western source with knowledge of the matter, said on Monday discussions have been taking place "for a few weeks" about delivering the British Army's Challenger 2 main battle tank to Ukraine.

The television news channel said supplying tanks would represent a significant step-up in Western support to Ukraine but the British government has not yet taken a final decision on the issue.

Sky News also cited an unnamed source as saying Britain could offer around 10 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine, a number which is enough to equip a squadron.

The Challenger 2, designed and built by the British company, Vickers Defense Systems, is a battle tank that has been in service with the UK army since 1994. The tank has previously been deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Iraq.

British Foreign Minister James Cleverly announced last week that London would continue working with Western allies to ensure Kiev receives the military support it needs in its fight with Russian forces.

Britain's Ministry of Defense also pointed to the UK’s supply of over 200 armored vehicles and other equipment, including air defense missiles and anti-tank weapons, to Ukraine to date.

"We will continue to build on recent donations with training and further gifting of equipment," a ministry spokesperson said.

Britain has committed to match or exceed last year's 2.3 billion pounds in military aid for Ukraine.

The British supply of Challenger 2 tanks comes as the Kremlin said new Ukraine-bound Western armored vehicles would not change anything in the battlefield in favor of Kiev and would only deepen the suffering of Ukrainians.

Moscow: New Ukraine-bound Western armored vehicles only ‘deepen suffering of Ukrainian people'

Russia says new Western armored vehicles for Ukraine will only deepen the suffering of Ukrainians.

Germany: No plans to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

In another development on Monday, a German government spokesperson said Berlin has no current plans to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

Germany announced last week it was sending Marder fighting vehicles to Kiev following calls for more heavy weapons in the war.

Germany's economy minister also said Berlin cannot rule out the delivery of the Leopard tanks, which are heavier fighting vehicles than the Marders.

The Ukrainian government has long requested the mass-produced, German-made Leopard 2 tanks, used by several European allies, including Germany, Poland, Finland, the Netherlands and Spain.

Germany follows a more cautious approach to equipping Ukraine with weapons than other countries such as the UK and the United States.

Russia started its "special military operation" in Ukraine with the declared aim of "de-Nazifying" the country on February 24, 2022. Since then, the United States and Europe have imposed waves of unprecedented economic sanctions on Moscow and supplied large consignments of heavy weaponry to Kiev. The Kremlin has time and again warned the sanctions and the Western military assistance will only prolong the war.

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