Fifty Ukrainian troopers will journey to Spain on the finish of this week to start coaching within the Leopard battle tanks that our nation will hand over to the regime of Volodimir Zelensky. “We calculate about 50 or 55 troopers,” stated Defense Minister Margarita Robles from Brussels the place she is attending a gathering of NATO donors.
Robles has not detailed what number of Leopard tanks Spain will lastly cede. “The determination to contribute has been made, however we’re going to see what number of. The most essential factor is just not what will be despatched however the operability of those who we have now”, the minister has certified whereas persevering with to emphasize that the Spanish Leopard 2A4 tanks They have not been used for twenty years.
The minister insists that between two months and two and a half months of coaching will likely be wanted for the Ukrainian army to be prepared to make use of the Leopards. “It is critical to know easy methods to use them and know easy methods to preserve them”, defined the minister.
Robles has not revealed the place the Ukrainian troopers who’re going to make use of the Leopard tanks will obtain coaching, though Spain has recalled that Spain has already educated “260 Ukrainian troopers on the Toledo Military Academy”, the final consignment ends on coaching course this week.
“It is just not a matter of giving a Leopard quantity if it’s not linked to the preparation of those that have to hold and preserve the Spanish 2A4 or 2A6 (battle tanks)” (Margarita Robles, Minister of Defense)
The minister maintains that Spain will prepare Ukrainian troopers each in driving and in upkeep of the Leopard. “The full pack is a automotive and other people correctly educated to drive these automobiles and have the ability to preserve them day by day,” she advised reporters.
Robles has insisted that “the panorama and views of the battle are worrying” and that the fabric being despatched to Ukraine is “defensive and never offensive”, since it’s about “defending the lives of Ukrainians” towards Russian assaults.