VOV.VN – Up to now, the US has still refused to provide Ukraine with advanced weapons such as tanks and long-range missiles due to concerns about escalating tensions with Russia. However, the US move to send infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine could pave the way for Washington to provide more armored vehicles to Kiev.
In a joint statement by the White House and the German Chancellor’s Office published on January 5, the US and Germany agreed to provide infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine.
“The United States intends to supply Ukraine with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Germany will supply Kiev with Marder infantry fighting vehicles. Both countries plan to train Ukrainian forces to use their respective systems,” the statement stated.
The move by the US and Germany came a day after France announced it would provide Ukraine with the AMX-10 RC light tank, a highly mobile wheeled system equipped with a 105mm cannon and a body that looks like a tank.
According to a statement on January 5, Germany announced that it would provide the Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine. In December 2022, the White House also announced that it would send Ukraine this advanced air defense system.
What’s special about the new weapons the West provides to Ukraine?
According to experts and two US officials, the move to send modern infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine could pave the way for the supply of more powerful Western tanks, something US and European allies want. Europe is still hesitant. They believe that the West can supply Ukraine with German Leopard tanks or American M1 Abrams tanks.
Politico assesses that Western tanks will be the factor that changes Ukraine’s position in the conflict with Russia. Ukraine is using Soviet-era tanks in its arsenal. Leopard tanks or Abrams tanks have higher mobility, accuracy and longer range than old Soviet tanks. They are also more effective in protecting troops than older tanks or infantry fighting vehicles in the context of Ukraine continuously suffering many losses on the battlefield.
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked France for providing AMX-10 wheeled tanks to Ukraine, and called on allies to provide tanks and other heavy weapons. “There is no reason for Western partners not to supply tanks to Ukraine.”
The US aid package worth $3.8 billion will be announced on January 6 and is expected to include about 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles for Ukraine. According to US officials, this package sets aside $2.25 billion for Ukraine, including 155mm artillery shells. Another $682 million in military aid will go to Eastern European countries to allow them to buy American weapons and military equipment. Ukraine will also receive $225 million in military aid.
Observers say that the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle will significantly enhance Ukraine’s combat capabilities. The US sent more than 2,000 combat vehicles, including hundreds of mine detectors and Humvees, to Ukraine, helping the country overcome Russia’s defense system.
Besides the 25mm Bushmaster cannon, the Bradley is also equipped with two TOWW anti-tank missiles and a 7.62 coaxial machine gun.
“The Bradley infantry fighting vehicle is not a tank, but it can be a tank killer,” said retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, former commander of Army Europe.
Bradley infantry fighting vehicles are also considered a “less escalating tension with Russia” option than the US providing Ukraine with Abrams tanks. “However, the Bradley, when combined with Ukraine’s Soviet-era tanks, will also bring strong combat capabilities on the battlefield,” Mr. Hodges said.
The American Bradley infantry fighting vehicle and the French AMX-10 light tank , if deployed in time in the spring for Ukraine’s new offensive in the East, will bring powerful combat capabilities to Kiev forces.
The AMX-10 was once used by French forces as a reconnaissance vehicle. The maneuverability and high speed of this wheeled tank will allow Ukraine to attack quickly and strongly in small skirmishes. However, the AMX-10’s relatively thin armor is a disadvantage against Russian heavy guns.
“This French tank has strong firepower but it doesn’t have much protection. This is a wheeled vehicle which makes it vulnerable even though it is quite capable of moving over many terrains. However, the AMX-10’s guns can take down Russian T-72 tanks and armored personnel carriers,” Nick Reynolds, an analyst at the British Royal United Services Institute, commented on the vehicle. increased AMX-10.
Why is the US still hesitant to send heavy tanks to Ukraine?
A Ukrainian government adviser told Politico that Washington and Kiev have been discussing for months the supply of heavy tanks. One of the key “bottlenecks” is determining which units or storage facilities have suitable facilities for export, along with some concerns about advanced communications and optical equipment found in new models. than.
In December 2022, the Pentagon announced an expansion of the training program for Ukrainian forces at a US base in Germany, both in size and scope. The new program will expand training to a battalion of about 500 soldiers per month, and will also include instruction on how to coordinate infantry movements with artillery support, known as “operations.” armed coordination movement”.
Now that President Joe Biden’s administration has approved sending Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine, soldiers will likely be instructed on how to operate this vehicle more effectively alongside existing tanks.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia is planning to recruit more troops for a major attack in early 2023. Chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian army, General Valery Zaluzhny, said that Russia may concentrate its efforts to gain control capital Kiev after January.
Ukrainian officials have asked the West for hundreds more tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and artillery to help repel Russian attacks, especially those on cities and infrastructure. Civil.
However, President Biden’s administration may still hesitate to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine due to the important training and logistics involved. Maintaining tanks in the field will also be a challenge, especially when there is no supply of spare parts.
A US official said the Bradley’s logistical requirements were “far less onerous than those associated with the Abrams tank”. “The Abrams will become a logistical burden that we do not want to place on Ukraine until they and we are confident that everything is ready.”
However, expert Hodges said the training and logistics challenge is “a solvable problem” if the US starts instructing Ukrainian forces to use these systems now./.
