OUR Norway plans to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine “as soon as possible,” the Defense Minister said today, hinting that those deliveries could take place around the end of March.

Last week, Norway announced its intention to send some of the 36 tanks currently in service with the ground forces to Ukraine. “We have not decided on the quantity yet,” the minister said. bjorn Arild gram, in a conversation with AFP. “It is important to coordinate (the mission) with our partners so that this donation matters for Ukraine,” he added.

“urgent need”

“We hope, of course, that this will happen as soon as possible. This is an urgent need, ”the minister continued on the sidelines of a visit to an anti-aircraft missile assembly plant. NASAMSin Kongsberg southeastern Norway.

On the issue of “joint coordination” of the Allies, Mr. gram he recalled that Germany was talking about the supply of Leopard 2 tanks “at the end of March.” Last week the German Defense Minister you can Pistorius he said the goal was to send 14 tanks “at the end of March/beginning of April”.

The Norwegian minister noted that one should take into account the period of time required for his country to get the green light to re-export tanks, as well as to train Ukrainian soldiers in their use.

Many other Western countries intend to send heavy tanks to Ukraine, and the UK plans to supply the Ukrainian army with Challenger tanks around the end of March.

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP.}