Ukrainian Army Completes Challenger 2 Tank Training, British Defense Minister: We Will Continue To Support Them

Challenger 2 tank training for Ukrainian soldiers in the UK. (Screenshot of YouTube Channel Ministry of Defense)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian tank crews have completed the Master Battle tank (MBT) Challenger 2 operational training in England, then returned to their country to continue the struggle against the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian troops "return to their homeland in better gear, but with no less danger", Defense Minister Ben Wallace said, as reported by The National News March 28.

The Ukrainian military traveled to the UK to start training on how to operate the tank, shortly after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced Britain would send 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Ukraine in January.

Britain's Ministry of Defense said the training had been completed after British military officials spent weeks training Ukrainian soldiers on how to operate and fight with the tanks.

The training provided includes how to rule, drive and cooperate as a Challenger 2 tank crew, and effectively identify and attack targets, the ministry said.

"It is encouraging to witness the determination of Ukrainian soldiers who have completed their training with UK Challenger 2 tanks on British soil," said Minister Wallace, who visited troops during their training at Bovington Camp in Dorset last month.

"We will continue to support them and do everything we can to support Ukraine as long as necessary."

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel John Stone, who oversees the training mission, said: "It is an honor for the Combat Manuver Center team to provide this training to our Ukrainian partners."

Every champion was once a challenger.We are Challenger 2.🇺🇦🤝🇬🇧🎥 @DefenceHQ pic.twitter.com/q90M6Tx94a

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) March 27, 2023

"We are all very impressed with the level of competence displayed, and have no doubt that our friends will use the Challenger 2 tank very effectively in the upcoming fighting as they struggle to defend their homeland," he explained.

Britain's Ministry of Defense described MBT Challenger 2 as a "change measure" for Ukraine's armed forces, saying the tank would offer some of the world's most modern and sophisticated systems.

Ukrainian troops are said to return with Western tanks in due course, to counterattack in the spring expected to be carried out by Kyiv.

"I am fighting for my future, for the future of my country, and for the future of my family. We will fight. These tanks are for us like diamonds, I think these are the best tanks in the world," said a Ukrainian tank commander who attended the training.

It is known that apart from the British Challenger 2, the United States supplies M1 Abrams tanks, while Germany supplies Leopard 2. Each attack on Russia is expected to involve the western tanks.

Being one of the bloodiest battles in Europe since World War Two, Ukraine continues to try to defend the city of Bakhmut in the eastern part.

Ukraine's top military commander General Valerii Zaluzhnyi said on Saturday the situation was "starting to stabilize", with his forces pushing back the Russian army in a long and fierce battle for the city.

Separately, British military intelligence said Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces appeared to be turning to a defense strategy in eastern Ukraine.