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I understand that the M1 Abrams is the biggest, baddest tank in the world and that Ukraine could *really* use them to push the Russian army off of their lands.
The Abrams is also a logistical nightmare needing constant upkeep, jet fuel (literally) to run and extensive training to crew and maintain. It needs an extensive 'tail' of parts and mechanics to keep the 'teeth' of the beast running. Most of the repair shops for the Abrams are located in the US.
The Leopard tank takes more standard fuel, is closer in operation to the Cold war Soviet tanks (which are the mainstay of the Ukrainian army right now) and the closest supply depots are in... Poland? Much closer to the front lines than the Abrams.
Almost everyone who has them (in Europe) is willing to give the Leopards to Ukraine... but *license agreements* with Germany is holding up the works.
Let me repeat that... licensing agreements.
Now I'm not sure how the licensing agreements work with "damaged" or "scraped" Leopard tanks but maybe the Poles would pull some spark plugs... declare the tanks to be "scrapped" and send the "hulks" to Ukraine for "recycling". With overseers (mechanics) to supervise the "recycling".
Don't tell me this hasn't been done before. I'm sure it has.
Or else just f*ck the licensing agreements and send the damn tanks. Don't tell me this hasn't happened before. I'm sure it has.
In the meantime, we should be building the infrastructure to send the Abrams overseas - including having Ukrainian "observers" studying the Abrams tanks *here* and *now* - hell, six months ago! We could have "observers" test drive a few. I would actually be surprised if that isn't happening now... just on the QT. I'm sure there are some American generals and military advisors who would *love* to see how the Abrams stacks up against the Russian T-90s.
Unleash the Leopards. Let them eat Russian faces.
*disclaimer - I am not a expert on warfare licensing agreements of tanks*
The Abrams is also a logistical nightmare needing constant upkeep, jet fuel (literally) to run and extensive training to crew and maintain. It needs an extensive 'tail' of parts and mechanics to keep the 'teeth' of the beast running. Most of the repair shops for the Abrams are located in the US.
The Leopard tank takes more standard fuel, is closer in operation to the Cold war Soviet tanks (which are the mainstay of the Ukrainian army right now) and the closest supply depots are in... Poland? Much closer to the front lines than the Abrams.
Almost everyone who has them (in Europe) is willing to give the Leopards to Ukraine... but *license agreements* with Germany is holding up the works.
Let me repeat that... licensing agreements.
Now I'm not sure how the licensing agreements work with "damaged" or "scraped" Leopard tanks but maybe the Poles would pull some spark plugs... declare the tanks to be "scrapped" and send the "hulks" to Ukraine for "recycling". With overseers (mechanics) to supervise the "recycling".
Don't tell me this hasn't been done before. I'm sure it has.
Or else just f*ck the licensing agreements and send the damn tanks. Don't tell me this hasn't happened before. I'm sure it has.
In the meantime, we should be building the infrastructure to send the Abrams overseas - including having Ukrainian "observers" studying the Abrams tanks *here* and *now* - hell, six months ago! We could have "observers" test drive a few. I would actually be surprised if that isn't happening now... just on the QT. I'm sure there are some American generals and military advisors who would *love* to see how the Abrams stacks up against the Russian T-90s.
Unleash the Leopards. Let them eat Russian faces.
*disclaimer - I am not a expert on warfare licensing agreements of tanks*
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