‘Leopard coalition’: Austin names countries working together to provide tanks to Ukraine

The relevant statement was made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the opening of the ninth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“A consortium of countries, including Germany, Poland, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, are working together to provide Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine,” Austin said.

In his words, for more armored power, the United States, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands are jointly providing more than 90 T-72 tanks in addition to Poland’s latest donation of T-72s.

Moreover, the United Kingdom has provided a company of Challenger main battle tanks and has worked with several countries to source more ammunition for Ukraine’s defenders.

Austin also mentioned that the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands are working together to provide Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine. In addition, France and Italy are working to provide a SAMP/T air-defense system.

A reminder that the ninth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format is taking place in Brussels on February 14, 2023.