By KYIV. Jan 9 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The UK is considering supplying Ukraine with the British Army’s Challenger 2 main battle tank, Sky News reported on Monday citing its informed sources.
"Discussions have been taking place ‘for a few weeks’ about delivering a number of the British Army’s Challenger 2 main battle tank to the Ukrainian armed forces, a Western source with knowledge of the conversations said," the television channel said.
According to another source, Britain might offer around ten Challenger 2 tanks. The source said this in itself would not be a "game changer" but it would still be hugely significant since Britain would become the first nation to equip the Ukrainian military with powerful Western tanks.
Sky News also said that Ukrainian soldiers would need to be trained up on how to operate and maintain them.
Earlier, the UK’s Ministry of Defense said Ukraine has been provided with 200 armored vehicles to date, including Stormer vehicles armed with Starstreak missiles, as well as anti-tank weapons, air defense missiles and systems, mobility and logistics vehicles, helmets and body armor, winter and medical equipment.
A US-led grouping of some 50 nations – including the UK – that is delivering military support to Ukraine is due to hold its next meeting on January 20.
Poland and Finland have already signaled a willingness to supply their Leopard 2 tanks to Kyiv but this requires approval from Berlin.
Last week, the U.S. and Germany announced their plans to supply Ukraine with their infantry fighting vehicles – Bradley and Marder, respectively.
