The Ukraine military’s armored division is getting a major boost. The United States and Germany are sending armored infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), and there’s a wave of support in Finland to give Ukraine the tank some consider the best in the world: the German-made Leopard 2.
In a joint announcement with Germany, the U.S. pledged to deliver 50 armored Bradley fighting vehicles to Ukraine. The Bradley is not a tank, but it often gets mistaken for one.
The Bradley has a 25-millimeter main gun mounted on top, and like the Abrams tank, it rides on treads. Out of all the vehicles Ukraine received from the West so far, Bradleys have the most protection and some of the best firepower.
Ukraine will no doubt use the Bradley IFV to carry troops and equipment to and from battlefields. But the Bradley was designed to keep pace with tanks. When paired with TOW anti-tank missiles, a team of Bradleys can make quick work of enemy tanks. It’s why the Bradley earned the nickname “tank killer.”
Germany is also sending Ukraine around 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles. The Marder’s 20-millimeter canon is smaller than the Bradley’s, but its armor and maneuverability are just as strong, if not better.
So far, the U.S. and Germany have resisted calls from Ukraine to send main battle tanks like the Abrams or Leopard 2. Leaders in Finland, on the other hand, said it’s time Ukraine gets modern tanks.
Last week, the Chairman of the Finnish Defense Committee said the country is prepared to send an undisclosed number of Leopard 2s to help Ukraine fend off Russian forces. The Leopard 2 is made in Germany, boasts a 120-millimeter smoothbore main gun with an effective range of 2000 meters, and has some of the most advanced armor ever created.
While support within Finland is growing by the day to send Ukraine the Leopard 2 tanks, the rules governing international arms sales require Finland to get permission from Germany before making the transaction.
Last week, France announced it would be sending a number of AMX-10 RC light tanks to Ukraine. The AMX-10 is a wheeled tank designed for reconnaissance missions.
Reuters contributed to this report.
