 in military aid. The tanks - half of which are being paid for by the US and half by the Netherlands - will have better engines, thermal sights, improved fire control systems and explosive armour. The new main battle tanks are expected to be ready for combat within the coming weeks and months. Ukraine has long been pressuring its Western allies to send fresh tanks, which are vital to its counter-offensives to retake territory seized by Russia. "These are tanks that the Ukrainians know how to use on the battlefield," said Sabrina Singh, a White House spokesman. She said that introducing Western-designed tanks would be "costly", "time sensitive" and a "huge undertaking" for Ukraine. Russia is also relying on vast numbers of Soviet era T-72 tanks, but has been forced to refit some of its much older T-62 tanks after suffering heavy losses.){kind=link}
US and Netherlands join forces to supply 90 upgraded Czech T-72 tanks as part of $400m military aid package
Ukraine will receive 90 refurbished and upgraded Czech T-72 tanks – labelled by the Pentagon as “the most advanced on the battlefield” – as part of $400 million (£348.15 million) in military aid.
The tanks – half of which are being paid for by the US and half by the Netherlands – will have better engines, thermal sights, improved fire control systems and explosive armour.
The new main battle tanks are expected to be ready for combat within the coming weeks and months.
Ukraine has long been pressuring its Western allies to send fresh tanks, which are vital to its counter-offensives to retake territory seized by Russia.