The first British Challenger 2 tanks have now arrived in Ukraine and are the “newest addition” for their armed forces.
In total the UK will send a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 tanks and the US have sent Stryker infantry carrier and the first batch of German Leopard 2 tanks have also arrived in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said, “Today, I had the honour to try out the newest addition to our armed units, particularly Challengers from the UK.”
Reznikov thanked the UK saying, “marvellous Ben” in reference to the British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, he added, “It’s…very good stuff. Thank you very much from Ukraine to the United Kingdom.”
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Wallace said, the Ukrainian crews “return to their homeland better equipped, but to no less danger.”
In a video the Ukrainian Defence Secretary took the main battle tanks out “for a spin” saying it was a “pleasure” driving them.
It was a pleasure to take the first Ukrainian Challenger 2 MBT for a spin.
Such tanks, supplied by the United Kingdom, have recently arrived in our country.
These fantastic machines will soon begin their combat missions.
Thank you, @RishiSunak, @BWallaceMP, and the 🇬🇧 people. pic.twitter.com/zoCRmKdBnN— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) March 28, 2023
On Monday 18 Leopard 2 main battle tanks arrived along with 40 German Marder infantry fighting vehicles along with two armoured recovery vehicles, a source said.
Both Germany and the UK trained Ukrainian troops to drive and service the tanks and Portugal sent three tanks to Kyiv.
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