In the more than 15 months since Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine, Britain has sent a variety of weapons to the Kyiv government. It is 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 in aid to President Volodymyr Zelensky's government, the second most among Ukraine's allies after the United States ($107 billion). Forces news.
Britain sent a total of 14 Challenger II tanks to Ukraine
According to analysts, in addition to promoting the end of hostilities, through military aid packages, British officials are also putting pressure on other governments, including the US. All this is to ensure that Ukraine takes the initiative in any peace talks with Russia.
Urging allies
According to NBC News, proof of the British calculation can be seen from the country sending 14 Challenger 2 battle tanks to Ukraine in March. At the time, some analysts said the move was only symbolic. because the number of tanks is too small to make a significant difference militarily, and Ukraine does not have a long-term logistical supply of these. However, soon after Britain sent advanced tanks to Ukraine, Germany and the US did the same.
Tobias Ellwood, a conservative member of parliament and chairman of the UK Defense Select Committee, said that the Challenger tank is not necessarily the system Ukraine needs. However, according to him, the supply of this weapon will allow "others to follow".
Storm Shadow rocket on display at Farnborough Air Show in 2018
Mr. William Taylor, former US ambassador to Ukraine, said Britain was pioneering in support of Mr. Zelensky's government. The UK was one of the first countries to supply other sophisticated weapons systems, including armored vehicles, multiple launch missile systems, light anti-tank weapons, short-range guided missiles and anti-aircraft missiles. for Ukraine.
Quenching the fear of escalation?
The UK is also the only country to supply long-range Storm Shadows cruise missiles with a range of 250 km and drones that can fly as far as 200 km to Ukraine. According to retired General Ben Hodges, who served as commander of the US Army in Europe, this has allayed concerns from allies about sending Ukraine long-range weapons that can reach Russia.
British officials also said Britain hoped to break a diplomatic deadlock as NATO ally fears supplying Kyiv with weapons could drag the group. direct war with Russia.
In addition, according to Daniel Vajdich, president of consulting firm Yorktown Solutions (USA), the British transfer of advanced weapons also counters doubts that London's decision is "unrealistic" because Ukraine cannot use and maintain them effectively.
British problem
However, British officials conceded that such a patchwork of arms supplies to Ukraine would not guarantee Kyiv an eventual victory.
According to the sheet Daily Mall, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace also recently admitted that the West is "running out" of military aid and must buy more to send weapons to Ukraine.
A report published in March stated that if aid to Ukraine continued at its current rate, it would take 3 years for Britain's arsenal to reach an acceptable level.
In that context, speaking at the London Defense Conference last week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that while still committed to supplying Ukraine with weapons for a long time, London was still "leading the negotiation" with its allies. evidence of long-term arrangements to ensure Kyiv's security.
