Stoltenberg: Ukraine to Receive More Heavy Weapons in Near Future

According to Jens Stoltenberg, the recent statements of some countries about their readiness to send heavy weaponry to Ukraine is an important sign that supplies will further increase. The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) may receive more heavy weapons from Western allies in the near future. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said this in an interview with the Handelsblatt newspaper, focus.ua reports. He noted that the war with Russia is in a crucial phase, which is why he expects Ukraine’s allies to be more active in equipping the Armed Forces with weapons it needs for defense and counterattack. “We are in a crucial phase of the war. It is important that we equip Ukraine with the weapons it needs to win,” he stressed. Earlier, Germany, France, Poland and the United States announced new military aid packages for Ukraine. This is the first time in 11 months of war that the Ukrainian army will receive Western armored vehicles. According to Jens Stoltenberg, supplies of heavy equipment may be increased. “The recent commitments for heavy weapons are important – and I expect more in the near future,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. Note that Stoltenberg’s remarks came ahead of a new meeting in the Ramstein format scheduled for January 20. This suggests that the Ukrainian army will receive more armored vehicles from the allies to change the situation on the front. Ukrainian army will have Leopard 2 tanks, Challenger on the way On January 11, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that Ukraine would receive a Leopard 2 tank unit as part of the international coalition. The Western tanks are much better than the Soviet-era tanks, which have already been handed over to the Ukrainian army. Similar to the HIMARS, Ukraine can expect increased deliveries in the future. The main difference is in the ammunition. In the Soviet tanks, the ammunition is around the crew due to the peculiarities of the automatic loader. In Western tanks the ammunition is stored in the rear of the turret, so the crew has a better chance of surviving if the tank is hit. In addition, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is also considering transferring Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine. The Challenger 2 can weigh up to 75 tons, so the issue of logistics will also have to be solved. Aid from France: AMX-10RC armored vehicles and Bison armored personnel carriers After talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the transfer of armored combat vehicles AMX-10RC and Bison armored personnel carriers to Ukraine. AMX-10RC vehicles are often called “wheeled tanks” because of the powerful 105-mm gun. The Bastion APC is a French multi-purpose armored personnel carrier, built on 4x4 wheel configuration. The vehicle was developed in 2012. In more than 10 years in service, the Bastion has been used in the Middle East and Africa. Its armor will protect the crew from 7.62 mm bullets. U.S. gives Ukraine the M2 Bradley APC and the new Paladin SPH The United States has announced a record $3 billion military aid package, more than $2 billion of which is earmarked for Ukraine. The Ukrainian Armed Forces will receive M2 Bradley BMPs, a modification of the M2A2, based on the experience of Operation Desert Storm. The United States will also reinforce the Ukrainian army with one of the newest versions of the M109A6 Paladin anti-tank gunship.