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4 Weeks of Training to Operate Leopard Tanks, Ukrainian Troops Ready for Combat. PHOTOS/Reuters
MADRID – Dozens of soldiers Ukraine on Monday (13/3/2023) completed a four-week training at Spanish about how to operate tank Leopard 2A4 . Spain has promised to send 6 mothballed tanks to Kiev this spring.
As Reuters reported, a total of 40 tank crews and 15 specialist mechanics underwent training on its use at a military base in the northeastern city of Zaragoza. This was disclosed by the Armed Forces of Spain in a statement.
“It’s been very intense,” Spain coach Captain Contreras – who identified himself only by his rank and last name – told reporters, who were allowed access to training for the first time.
Contreras said the dozens of Ukrainian servicemen would return “with very acceptable knowledge” of the Leopard tank.
“Even though the tanks are different, there are a lot of systems to match and that makes things easier. With that, together with the motivation that the personnel bring and their desire to learn, we see that they are very ready to continue fighting,” he explained.
One of the Ukrainian soldiers being trained had an emblem on his sleeve with the slogan “Freedom or Death” under the Ukrainian flag.
Kiev has secured promises from some of its Western allies to send modern battlefield tanks to help fend off a Russian invasion as Moscow steps up its efforts to make headway in eastern Ukraine.
Last month, Spain said it would send six German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine after they underwent repairs, a number that could increase to 10.
Other NATO countries, including Germany, Poland and Portugal, said they would deliver a total of 48 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
(esn)
