A German company is offering Ukraine the benefit — and burden — of being the first military to get its brand-new tank

Thu, 03/09/2023 - 23:18

A Rheinmetall Panther KF51 main battle tank at the Rheinmetall plant in Lower Saxony in July.
Julian Stratenschulte/picture alliance via Getty Images

Prominent German defense firm Rheinmetall is offering Ukraine its new Panther Kf51 tank.
The KF51 would leapfrog the other older Western-made tanks that are being sent to Ukraine.
While the KF51 has advanced capabilities, its newness may create more headaches for the Ukrainians.

While Ukraine waits on the older Abrams and Leopard tanks that the US and Europe have promised to deliver, it may have the opportunity to buy a cutting-edge German tank.