Ukraine cries. Everyone is lying. UN expresses 'deep concerns'

[xilman]

Originally Posted by Dr Sardonicus

I was somewhat bemused when I read that the Biden Administration had decided to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine. However, the story had an all-too-familiar ring - no clear indication of how many. And delivery could take months, or even years. I started to fume.

But then, it dawned on me: Those caveats weren't the important thing. What was important was that the US had made the decision to send our best tanks to Ukraine. And that just might prompt others to do likewise. I don't know how big a role the US decision made in persuading European nations to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine, but I'm quite sure it didn't hurt.

A major issues is that M1 Abrams are very different technology. They run on jet fuel and have gas turbine engines for a start. Leopards and Challengers run on diesel and have what are basically truck engines. Maintenance and repair is much easier for the latter unless you have a sophisticated logistics operation to provide support. I am also told that driving M1s is markedly more difficult but that may just be a rumour picked up from somewhere.

My belief is that the supply of a few Challengers and Abrams was the incentive needed to shame the German government into letting other nations supply Leopards, of which there are hundreds already nearby in Europe. Poland had already stated that they would go full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes.

[Dr Sardonicus]

Originally Posted by xilman

<snip>
My belief is that the supply of a few Challengers and Abrams was the incentive needed to shame the German government into letting other nations supply Leopards, of which there are hundreds already nearby in Europe.<snip>

Yes. Mine too. Sometimes I understate things slightly.