“We need to stop engaging in self-contemplation and bring most of the Challenger 2s to a high level of readiness within months. Challenger 3 will not be available until 2027,” former junior minister for Britain’s armed forces Mark Francois told the newspaper.
The paper notes that less than 100 of the 227 Challenger 2 tanks are considered “combat-ready” and 14 are being handed over to Ukraine.
The paper added that the officials refused to give the exact number of “combat-ready” tanks, citing national security issues.
Over the last year, UK military aid to Ukraine amounted to about 2.3 billion pounds sterling ($2.7 billion). The package includes about 3 million pieces of military equipment, including a shipment of Challenger 2 tanks, as well as 200 other armoured vehicles, more than 10,000 anti-tank missiles and multiple rocket launchers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to meet or exceed this level of support in 2023.
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