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Britain could supply replacement tanks if the ones sent to Ukraine are destroyed in battle, the Defence Secretary suggested yesterday.
Fourteen Challenger 2s will be despatched to the warzone to take part in the spring offensive against Russian occupiers.
They will take their place on the frontline next month and will be joined by hundreds of tanks from Nato allies.
Ukrainian troops are currently being trained in Britain to operate and make essential repairs to the Challenger 2s.
But should any be destroyed by the Russians, the UK could provide replacements.
Fourteen Challenger 2s will be despatched to the warzone to take part in the spring offensive against Russian occupiers
On a visit to Bovington camp in Dorset where the Ukrainians are receiving instruction, Ben Wallace said: ‘Am I open to sending more tanks to Ukraine? Yes, because the key word is sustainability.
‘We will also be providing recovery vehicles and spare parts. When added to the German Leopard tanks, the Challengers will make a significant impact.
‘We will continue to provide the capabilities needed to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.’
He added: ‘President Putin’s State of the Nation speech on Tuesday demonstrated just how dangerous to our security Russia has become. It is hugely inspiring to witness Ukrainian soldiers being trained on British tanks.
‘Their resilience and determination to succeed for the liberation of their country sends a powerful message to Russia.’
The Ukrainians will spend six weeks practising on Challenger 2 main battle tanks before their return to the warzone. One soldier – Sasha, 24, from Zaporizhia – said the difference between the Challengers and Russian-made tanks was ‘like sea and land’.
He told the Mail: ‘The Challengers are much smoother, the steering is better. It is an excellent tank, 100 per cent better than the T-64s and T-72s.
‘I am over half way through my training. I can’t wait to get back. I am getting bored here. I look forward to driving the Challenger 2 into battle against the Russians.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Putin’s State of the Nation speech on Tuesday demonstrated ‘just how dangerous to our security Russia has become’
Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured: left) met with Ukrainian solders who are training at Bovington Camp in Dorset – a British Army military base
‘They have garbage tanks, not up to date or that effective, but there are so many of them, that is the problem.’
Mr Wallace said he has been ‘reassured’ following discussions with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor that defence spending will be increased as part of the Budget.
But he remains locked in negotiations with the Treasury over much additional funds the Ministry of Defence will receive. He added: ‘With what you want to achieve in defence you cannot afford to have a bigger appetite than your stomach.
‘The facts speak for themselves. In recent years the Armed Forces have been hollowed out. Let’s see what happens in the Budget.’
He was joined at the camp by the head of the Army, General Sir Patrick Sanders, who recently warned the UK’s military had been left ‘weaker’ as a result of sending equipment to Ukraine.
In an article for the Spectator magazine published today, historian Andrew Roberts also issued a warning over Britain’s fading defence capabilities.
He wrote: ‘The British Army is now down to too few operational heavy guns to conduct a foreign war.
‘Other Nato countries are replacing the equipment they are sending to Ukraine in ways we are not.
President Putin’s State of the Nation speech on Tuesday demonstrated just how dangerous to our security Russia has become
‘Next month’s Budget would be the time to decide whether, a year after the invasion of Ukraine, Rishi Sunak really does intend to fight the Second Cold War on the cheap.’
On paper, the UK has 227 of Challenger 2 tanks, which entered service in the late 1990s. In reality the number of tanks which are battle-ready is thought to be around 80 – however, the MOD will not release the exact figure citing national security reasons.
Of this number, 14 have already been committed to Ukraine, leaving around 140 Challengers which essentially exist in order to provide spare parts for those tanks required for operations and exercises.
‘Cannibalising’ the fleet is necessary because many of the spare parts required for the ‘C2s’ are no longer manufactured and the companies which made these parts no longer exist.