Britain's calculation when pioneering sending many advanced weapons to Ukraine?

In the more than 15 months since Russia launched its military campaign in Ukraine, Britain has sent a wide range of weapons to the Kyiv government. It was also the first country to provide lethal aid and advanced systems such as Western tanks to Ukraine.

Britain has so far provided a total of $4.6 billion (VND107 trillion) in support to President Volodymyr Zelensky's administration, the second most among Ukraine's allies after the US ($37.6 billion), Forces reported.

Britain has sent a total of 14 Challenger II tanks to Ukraine.

According to analysts, in addition to pushing for an end to the fighting through military aid packages, British officials are also putting pressure on other governments , including the US. All this is aimed at ensuring that Ukraine has the upper hand in any peace talks with Russia.

Urge allies

Evidence of Britain’s calculations can be seen in the country’s sending of 14 Challenger 2 battle tanks to Ukraine in March, according to NBC News. At the time, some analysts said the move was largely symbolic, as the number of tanks was too small to make a significant military difference, and Ukraine had no long-term logistical supply for them. However, shortly after Britain sent advanced tanks to Ukraine, Germany and the United States followed suit.

Tobias Ellwood, a Conservative member of parliament and chairman of the UK Defence Select Committee, said the Challenger tank was not necessarily the system Ukraine needed, but that providing it would allow “others to follow suit.”

The Storm Shadow missile on display at the Farnborough Airshow in 2018.

William Taylor, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, said Britain was leading the way in supporting the Zelensky administration. Britain was one of the first countries to provide other sophisticated weapons systems, including armored vehicles, multiple rocket launchers, light anti-tank weapons, short-range guided missiles and anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine.

Quenching fears of conflict escalation?

Britain is also the only country to supply Ukraine with Storm Shadows long-range cruise missiles with a range of 250 km and drones that can fly 200 km. This has eased concerns from allies about sending Ukraine long-range weapons that can reach Russia, according to retired General Ben Hodges, who served as commander of the US Army in Europe.

British officials also said the country hoped to break the diplomatic deadlock as NATO allies fear that supplying Kyiv with weapons could drag the group into direct war with Russia.

In addition, according to Mr. Daniel Vajdich, president of Yorktown Solutions consulting company (USA), the transfer of advanced weapons by the UK also refutes doubts that London's decision is "unrealistic" because Ukraine cannot use and maintain them effectively.

The British Problem

However, British officials admit that providing such a patchwork of weapons to Ukraine will not guarantee Kyiv an ultimate victory.

According to the Daily Mall, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace recently admitted that the West is "running out" of military aid and must buy more to send weapons to Ukraine in time.

A report published in March stated that if aid to Ukraine continued at its current rate, it would take 10 years for the UK's arsenal to reach an acceptable level.

In that context, speaking at the London Defense Conference last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was still committed to providing weapons to Ukraine for a long time, and London was still "leading negotiations" with allies on long-term agreements to ensure security for Kyiv.

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