Anna Hartz
UK Chooses Junkyard Over Battlefield for Warrior Tanks
War changes fast, and Ukraine is always looking for more help. Western military aid has become a lifeline.
That’s why the idea of the UK sending its old Warrior infantry fighting vehicles caught attention. But now that idea has been shut down, reports WP.
The British Ministry of Defence has decided not to send any of its Warrior vehicles to Ukraine. The reason?
They say it would cost too much. Repairs, transport, and training would all add up.
They also say Ukraine already has too many different types of armored vehicles. Adding more would only create new problems.
Not Suitable for Donation
The Warriors aren’t new. They were developed in the 1980s. Each vehicle holds up to 10 soldiers, including three crew members.
They carry a 7.62 mm machine gun and a 30 mm cannon. They can hit targets up to 1.5 kilometers away.
The British Army has over 350 of them, with even more in reserve. But some are no longer useful. That’s why they’re being taken out of service.
Instead of donating the old vehicles, the UK will simply scrap them. According to Defence Secretary Luke Pollard, they’re no longer useful enough for battle.
He says giving them to Ukraine wouldn’t help much without major investment. It would also make it harder for Ukraine to keep its fleet organized.
Still, many people in the UK disagree. Over 18,000 people have signed a petition asking the government to donate the vehicles.
Could Still Make a Difference
Some analysts say the public pushed the idea in the first place. In Ukraine, military experts say they need more heavy equipment.
They believe even older vehicles could still make a difference.
Other countries have already sent similar vehicles. Ukraine now uses Germany’s Marder, America’s M2 Bradley, and Sweden’s CV90.
The Marder is older than the Warrior, but Ukrainian troops say it works well.
So for now, the Warriors will stay in the UK. Or head to the scrap yard. And Ukraine will have to wait for the next round of support.
