05/01/2023 00:12 (act. 05/01/2023 00:20)
Zelenskyy delighted with delivery of French tank ©APA/BUNDESKANZLERAMT
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saw the announced delivery of French reconnaissance tanks as an important signal to other western countries as well. “France is taking defense support to Ukraine to a new level and I thank President (Emmanuel) Macron for this leadership,” Zelenskyy said in his video address on Wednesday night.
“This sends a clear signal to all our partners: there is no rational reason why Western-style tanks have not already been delivered to Ukraine.” Macron promised Zelenskyy the delivery of the AMX-10 RC tank on Wednesday. The wheeled tank with a large cannon is mainly used for reconnaissance. How many tanks France wants to deliver to Ukraine even when it was not initially clear. The Elysee Palace said these were the first Western-style main battle tanks to be delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces.
However, Ukraine has received other western tanks in the past, albeit more of the troop type, such as the American model M113 – a smaller tracked vehicle. Germany also supplied Ukraine with 30 Gepard anti-aircraft tanks. Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia, has yet to receive a complete Western main battle tank, such as the French model Leclerc or the German Leopard.
The US government is considering supplying Bradley armored vehicles to Ukraine. According to the US military, armored vehicles usually have a cannon, a machine gun and armor-piercing missiles. US President Joe Biden said yes to a reporter’s question on Wednesday whether the administration was considering supplying armored vehicles to Ukraine. He didn’t give details. Initially, it was not clear which model variant of the “Bradley” would be suitable for Kyiv.
The US is already supplying Ukraine with several heavy weapons systems, including Himar-type multiple rocket launchers, which at times inflict heavy casualties on Russian forces. During Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy’s visit to Washington just before Christmas, Biden also pledged to provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense system.