Soviet tanks and infantry fighting vehicles as foreign aid for Ukraine
Tank T-72 of the Polish army. Photo by the Polish Ministry of Defense
For several weeks, foreign partners have promised to help Ukraine with the supply of armored combat vehicles. However, until recently, no real steps have been taken in this direction. Only a few days ago it became known that several foreign countries were preparing to supply old armored vehicles. The transfer of Soviet-designed vehicles may take place in the coming weeks.
Tank supply
The American publication The New York Times reported on the possible imminent transfer of heavy armored vehicles on April 1. It revealed the fact of the preparation of the delivery of tanks, and also published some other information received from sources in Washington. Then similar publications appeared in other foreign media, including with new details. All together they make up a fairly detailed picture.
It is reported that the United States plans to reinforce the Ukrainian army with a certain number of main T-72 tanks, and the deliveries will be organized in a special way. The European allies of the United States should provide equipment to help Ukraine, and the American side will take over the organization of the entire program and the coordination of work.
The volumes of future deliveries and the participation of specific countries have not yet been officially disclosed. However, one can imagine which armies can share their equipment and in what quantity. Thus, the United States, apparently, will be engaged only in organizational work. They only have a few T-72s available for transfer. However, earlier it was reported that they could be sent to Ukraine.
Newer MBT PT-91. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Poland
The Eastern European states have much more potential in this respect. First of all, this is Poland. Her army has approx. 330 T-72A/M1 tanks. This technique was built mainly during the time of the ATS, but later it underwent repairs and modernization. Also in operation are 230 newer PT-91 tanks developed by Poland based on the T-72.
Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and other countries also have T-72 tanks. However, their tank fleet is not large. Only dozens of armored vehicles remain in service, and not in all cases there are opportunities for their full replacement. At the same time, some countries, such as Bulgaria, have fairly large stocks of equipment in storage.
It should be expected that in the very near future the United States and its allies will reveal plans to supply tanks to Ukraine. The volume of such assistance and the timing of its provision were to be announced. Apparently, it will take up to several weeks to find the necessary equipment, complete all the formalities and subsequent transportation. Whether this assistance will be relevant by that time is a big question.
Multiple re-export
Also on April 1, it became known that infantry fighting vehicles of an outdated model would be handed over to Ukraine. According to the German press, the German government has issued a permit to the Czech Republic for the re-export of its Pansarbandvagn 501 infantry fighting vehicles. The document provides for the supply of 58 units. equipment from the presence of the Czech army to Ukraine.
The Pbv-501 armored vehicles are actually modernized Soviet-designed BMP-1s. The products now being prepared for transfer were built about half a century ago for the National People's Army of the GDR. After the unification of Germany, they became the property of the Bundeswehr. Such equipment did not fit into the standards of the new operator, and they began to sell it. Several dozen BMP-1s went to Sweden, where they underwent modernization and received the new name Pbv-501. Later, the Swedish army bought modern equipment, and the old Pbv-501s were sold to the Czech Republic.
T-72s in the US, preparing for transfer.
Recently, the Czech Republic expressed its readiness to give the upgraded BMP-1s to the Ukrainian army, but some legal difficulties arose. When selling its weapons and equipment, Germany requires that any deals on their re-export be coordinated with it. The German/Swedish/Czech Pbv-501s were no exception. However, the coordination did not take much time, and measures are already being taken to prepare the equipment for transfer.
German media specify that not all BMPs planned for delivery are in good condition. Some of them require minor or medium repairs. It takes several weeks to bring the equipment into a decent form, and only after that it can be sent to the recipient. It is likely that the Czech Republic and Germany believe that by the time they start, such deliveries will still make sense.
Aid prospects
Thus, after a rather long period of uncertainty, foreign countries nevertheless decided to help Ukraine with full-fledged armored vehicles. The supply of T-72 MBTs is at the stage of searches and approvals, and plans have been drawn up for several dozen Pbv-501 infantry fighting vehicles. It is possible that in the near future it will become known about new plans and programs of this kind.
Before the transfer of the first T-72 and Pbv-501 remains at least a few weeks, and so far it is possible to assess the prospects for such assistance. First of all, attention should be paid to the very fact of preparing such deliveries. So far, foreign countries have only provided light armored vehicles and have not provided tanks or infantry fighting vehicles. Now the situation is changing, which should indicate larger processes and plans.
BMP-1 of the GDR army, 1988. Photo of the Bundesarchiv of Germany
It is important that they are looking for Soviet-designed equipment for deliveries to Ukraine. The aid packages will include armored vehicles already in service with the Ukrainian army. This will make it possible to do without retraining of personnel or seriously simplify it. In addition, it will be easier to organize the operation and maintenance of newly received equipment.
Depending on the plans and capabilities of third countries, Ukraine can count on at least 58 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as dozens or even hundreds of T-72 tanks. This amount of equipment will partially make up for the losses of recent weeks and will significantly affect the current combat capability of the army.
However, quantity cannot be transformed into quality. Ukraine will receive only morally and physically obsolete equipment. For example, the Polish T-72M1 tanks were built back in the 501s and, despite all the upgrades, are inferior to the latest Russian-designed modifications. Other Eastern European countries have even older technology. The situation is similar with the BMP Pbv-1. In fact, this is an old BMP-XNUMX with imperfect weapons and fire control systems. The combat qualities of such a machine are far from required.
At the same time, it is unlikely that it will be possible to fully use even the limited combat qualities of the received vehicles. The Russian army has obvious technical advantages, and without much difficulty will be able to identify and "demilitarize" equipment for Ukraine. MBTs and infantry fighting vehicles can be destroyed both in the deep rear and on the front lines.
Benefit not for Ukraine
It should be noted that almost useless deliveries of armored vehicles to Ukraine can still have positive consequences - but only for third countries. So, Poland, the Czech Republic and other states get the opportunity to get rid of obsolete materiel. This will allow the renewal of parks to begin, which will be associated with the allocation and development of budgets.
Former East German BMP-1 - Pbv-501 in the museum. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
By giving away their T-72s, the Polish army can increase the existing order for American M1 Abrams. Other countries helping Ukraine can also order American armored vehicles. Accordingly, the US military industry will receive new orders for substantial amounts. For this, Washington is ready to work on the organization of supplies.
Also, some European manufacturers can count on contracts. In particular, it is reported that some Eastern European countries may give away T-72s in exchange for British Challenger 2 tanks or German Leopard 2 tanks. Such equipment is likely to be newer than decommissioned Soviet MBTs, which will provide obvious advantages.
Help and benefit
Thus, Ukraine was again promised military-technical assistance, and for the first time we are talking about full-fledged tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Issues related to the transfer of such equipment are already being resolved. It will take some time for all the necessary approvals, after which a few more weeks will be spent on real events. As a result, in the coming months, Kyiv will be able to receive "new" armored vehicles.
How useful such assistance will be is unknown. There is every reason to doubt this. In addition, deliveries require time to prepare and therefore may simply be late. However, such an outcome is negative only from the point of view of the Kiev authorities. For European countries and American industry, all this brings certain political and economic benefits. And the further fate of Ukraine interests them only from this point of view.
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