Ukrainian soldiers started to train to use German Leopard 2 tanks

The process of training Ukrainian forces to operate German-made Leopard 2 tanks has begun, of which 12 European countries are expected to send the first batch of about 140 tank to Kyiv soon, according to what the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced, on Tuesday.

The 16 day of training will include lessons on simulators in conditions of limited visibility and using binoculars, according to the Polish military.

“We’re training Ukrainian forces to drive tanks and fire artillery,” says Major Artur Penkowski, spokesman for the 11th Armored Cavalry Division in Lubuska.

The Polish Military Training Center is one of the most modern military training centers in Europe, and the Polish army has experience in operating and driving 3 models of Leopard 2 tanks.

“Our instructors have many years of experience gained in the field and specialized courses in Poland and abroad,” says Sergeant Mariusz Nikifor.

The Leopard 2 tank is very strong in terms of firepower, as it can fire very long distances with different types of ammunition that can be basically shaped towards the target, according to Christian Molling, head of the Center for Security and Defense at the German Council on Foreign Relations.

On Saturday, Oleksiy Reznikov, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, announced the readiness of the Ukrainian forces to begin practical exercises on the use of Leopard 2 tanks, after reaching a joint agreement on training thanks to Poland and the United Kingdom.