Slovakia can provide its T-72 tanks to the Ukrainians immediately, as long as it receives German-made Leopard 2 tanks later in the exchange, said Defense Minister Jaroslav Naď.
European NATO members have recently agreed to arm Ukraine with their tanks, especially the Leopard 2. While the delivery of Leopard 2 tanks will take weeks to months, the Slovak ones are ready to go almost immediately.
“Ukraine needs tanks as soon as possible, but Western countries can usually deliver them in a few months. We can provide our T-72 immediately,” Defence Minister Naď explains to Denník N.
The Slovak armed forces have thirty T-72 tanks. Naď suggested to the NATO partners that he could provide the Ukrainians with either all thirty pieces or only half of them.
“We offered our partners that we can deliver our T-72 tanks if we get Leopard 2 tanks in exchange for them in a one-to-one ratio,” confirmed Naď.
If Ukrainians would receive Slovak T-72 tanks instead of Leopards, they would receive qualitatively lesser equipment but they would get it right away, Naď argues. They could fight with Slovak tanks in March at the latest, a time a large offensive from Russia is expected.
“Given that speed is currently the key factor, I would consider such a deal to be fair,” says Naď.
Another advantage is that Ukrainians are used to T-72 tanks because machines of this type have been the core of their heavy mechanised units. They know how to operate them and provide them with service support.
The Slovak Ministry already signed an agreement with Germany last year, according to which it will receive fifteen older Leopard 2 tanks in exchange for providing Ukraine with thirty old BVP 1 vehicles.
If Naď agreed to such an exchange for T-72 tanks, the Slovak tank forces would be almost completely re-armed with Western technology in a short time.
(Irena Jenčová | EURACTIV.sk)
Source: euractiv.com
