Ukrainian Armed Forces need more training to use Challenger 2 tanks in combat - Wallace

Sky News reported the information.

Wallace confirmed that the first British tanks had arrived in Ukraine, but said that "there is still quite some considerable amounts of training to go" before the Ukrainian forces are ready to use them in combat.

According to the minister, the tanks will be used together with German Marder infantry fighting vehicles as part of a brigade or battlegroup.

"At the same time their (Ukrainian military) leadership needs to exercise and train in fighting at brigade or a battlegroup level - fight in the NATO manner or the western way," Wallace said.

He did not predict when, how, or where the Ukrainian counteroffensive would begin, but he believes that Ukraine wants to launch it as soon as possible.

• The UK has also announced its intention to provide Ukraine with depleted uranium shells.