Tanks shipped to Ukraine can be replaced if the Russians destroy them, says defense secretary Ben Wallace.

Britain could supply replacement tanks if those sent to Ukraine are destroyed in battle, the Defense Secretary suggested yesterday.

Fourteen Challenger 2s will be sent to the war zone to take part in the spring offensive against the Russian occupiers.

They will take their place on the front line next month and will be joined by hundreds of tanks from NATO allies.

Ukrainian troops are currently being trained in Britain to operate and carry out essential repairs on Challenger 2s.

But if any were to be destroyed by the Russians, the UK could provide replacements.

On a visit to Camp Bovington in Dorset, where the Ukrainians are undergoing training, Ben Wallace said: ‘Am I prepared to send more tanks to the Ukraine? Yes, because the key word is sustainability.

‘We will also provide recovery vehicles and spare parts. When added to the German Leopard tanks, the Challengers will pack a significant punch.

“We will continue to provide the necessary capabilities to support Ukraine for as long as it is needed.”

He added: “President Putin’s State of the Nation address on Tuesday demonstrated just how dangerous Russia has become to our security. It is very inspiring to witness the training of Ukrainian soldiers in British tanks.

“His resilience and determination to succeed in liberating his country sends a powerful message to Russia.”

The Ukrainians will spend six weeks practicing on Challenger 2 main battle tanks before their return to the war zone. One soldier, Sasha, 24, from Zaporizhia, said the difference between the Challengers and the Russian-made tanks was “like land and sea.”

He told the Mail: ‘The Challengers are much smoother, the steering is better. It’s an excellent tank, 100 percent better than the T-64 and T-72.

‘I’m half way through my training. I can’t wait to go back. I’m getting bored here. I look forward to driving Challenger 2 into battle against the Russians.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Putin’s state of the nation address on Tuesday showed “how dangerous Russia has become to our security.”

Britain’s Defense Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured: left) meets Ukrainian soldiers training at Bovington Camp in Dorset, a British Army military base.

“They have crap tanks, not up to date or as effective, but there are so many, that’s the problem.”

Mr Wallace said that following discussions with the Prime Minister and Chancellor, he had been “reassured” that defense spending would be increased as part of the budget.

But he remains locked in negotiations with the Treasury over many additional funds to be received by the Defense Ministry. He added: ‘With what you want to achieve in defence, you can’t afford to have an appetite bigger than your stomach.

‘The facts speak for themselves. In recent years the Armed Forces have been emptied. Let’s see what happens in the Budget.

He was joined at the camp by Army chief General Sir Patrick Sanders, who recently warned that the UK military had become “weaker” as a result of equipment being sent to Ukraine.

In an article for Spectator magazine published today, historian Andrew Roberts also issued a warning about Britain’s dwindling defense capabilities.

He wrote: ‘The British Army now has too few operational heavy weapons to wage war abroad.

“Other NATO countries are replacing the equipment they send to Ukraine in ways that we don’t.

President Putin’s state of the nation address on Tuesday demonstrated just how dangerous Russia has become to our security.

“Next month’s budget would be the time to decide whether, a year after the invasion of Ukraine, Rishi Sunak really intends to fight Cold War II on the cheap.”

On paper, the UK has 227 Challenger 2 tanks, which entered service in the late 1990s. In reality, the number of battle-ready tanks is believed to be around 80; however, the MOD will not release the exact figure, citing national security reasons.

Of this number, 14 have already committed to Ukraine, leaving around 140 Challengers that essentially exist to provide spare parts for tanks needed for operations and exercises.

It is necessary to ‘cannibalize’ the fleet because many of the spare parts needed for the ‘C2’ are no longer manufactured and the companies that made these parts no longer exist.