Guardian: Ukrainian soldiers complete Challenger 2 tank training in UK

Ukrainian soldiers completed training to operate Challenger 2 tanks in the UK, the Guardian reported on March 26.

“We have all been hugely impressed with the level of competence displayed and have no doubt that our friends will use the Challenger 2 tanks most effectively in the battles to come as they fight to defend their homeland,” Lieutenant Colonel John Stone, who oversaw the training, said, as quoted by the Guardian.

On Jan. 14, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the delivery of 14 Challenger 2 tanks and around 30 AS90 self-propelled 155mm howitzers as part of a major package of military aid for Ukraine.

The U.K. started training the Ukrainian forces to use the Challenger tanks shortly after the announcement.

Later, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.K. Vadym Prystaiko told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the U.K. will give 28 Challenger 2 main battle tanks instead of the earlier promised 14.

Equipped with state-of-the-art targeting technology and advanced armor, the Challenger 2 is considered to be superior to the Soviet-era tanks currently operated by both Ukraine and Russia in the war.

Can Ukraine maintain and optimally use its modern Western tanks?

Future Ukrainian counterattacks using modern Western combat vehicles are being discussed everywhere, from Washington news conferences to Ukrainian military expert circles. Ukraine hopes to receive up to two brigades of tanks, on top of many infantry vehicles from Western allies. But there are two m…

Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov