Why the tank deal is smart for Germany

Photo by Kevin Woblick on Unsplash

So - at last - we have our answer, folks.

Germany is sending 14 modern battle tanks to Ukraine and has formed a partnership with other European countries to provide enough tanks for the Ukrainians to build two battalions (roughly 90 tanks).

The word “historic” is overused in politics, but it seems appropriate today. A year ago Germany was the subject of international ridicule for offering to supply Kyiv with helmets. Today, it is coordinating delivery and training on the most advanced tanks its industry has ever built.

Many expected that a reluctant Olaf Scholz would finally cave in to international pressure by sending Kyiv dusty, Cold War-era Leopard 1 tanks while handing out export licences that let other countries take the risk - i.e. doing the bare minimum.

Today’s statement is a rebuke to those critics. By delivering tanks from the Bundeswehr’s own stores, Scholz is ensuring that modern battles tanks will arrive in Ukraine as quickly as possible.

He…