Poland plans to train Ukrainian Leopard 2 crews in 5 weeks

Reuters reported the information.

“If we intensify training (by maximizing the number of) instructors, our time and our weekends, we can train an entire crew in five weeks," Major Maciej Banaszynski, Poland's Leopard training center commander, told Reuters.

In addition, he said, Polish instructors will conduct training courses for tank crews and drivers.

"In addition, we now run courses for mechanics for the arms, chassis and equipment accompanying Leopards," the Polish major added.

Warsaw has not officially confirmed where exactly the Ukrainian military will be trained in Poland, but experts interviewed by Reuters agree that it could be the village of Swietoszow, western Poland.

The outlet adds that one of the 3 European Leopard training centers is located in Swietoszow, the other two are in Germany and Switzerland.

A center can simultaneously train 14 crews of 4 people each. The standard training period for Leopard 2 is 10 weeks.

• On January 25, news broke that Ukraine would receive 14 Leopard 2 tanks from the Bundeswehr, and Germany also allowed partner countries to provide Ukrainian defenders with German tanks from their own stocks. On the same day, Joe Biden officially announced the delivery of 31 American-made M1 Abrams tanks and other equipment to Ukraine.
• Biden also said that the US, together with its allies, would provide Ukraine with 3,000 artillery systems, ammunition, and air defense systems, and that 300 armored vehicles were already on their way to Ukraine.
• On January 27, Poland declared its willingness to send 60 more of its modernized tanks, including 30 PT-91s, to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in addition to a company of German Leopard 2s.