On Monday, February 13, 2022. The Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Armed Forces, President Andrzej Duda, and Mariusz Blaszczak, Deputy Prime Minister-Minister of National Defense, met with instructors conducting training for the soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces on Leopard tanks.

"I agreed with my German counterpart Minister Pistorius that the Polish side will focus on building a coalition of countries that possess Leopard 2A4 tanks, while Germany will build a team of countries that own Leopard 2A6 tanks. I can say directly: such a coalition is already being formed. Among others, Canada has already transferred to Poland the tanks on which Ukrainian soldiers are practicing, together with Canadian instructors. We are also awaiting Norwegian tanks with instructors. Moreover, the talks with the Spanish side are also on an advanced level"

- said Deputy Prime Minister.

The head of the Ministry of Defense noted that aid for Ukraine must be based on a broad coalition. Tomorrow in Brussels, Deputy Prime Minister M. Blaszczak will attend another meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which brings together more than 50 countries, including NATO Allies.

"Tomorrow in Brussels there will be a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a group with a broader format than the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, which coordinates the support for Ukraine. We will discuss equipping Ukraine's armed forces with Leopard tanks.  Currently, the biggest challenge for us is the matter of the spare parts for these tanks. This is the task we are setting for the German industry. On this very topic, also in a broader format, I will be talking to my German counterpart tomorrow."

- Deputy Prime Minister noted.

When speaking about consistent support for Ukraine, the head of the Ministry of Defense noted that the Polish Armed Forces are being simultaneously modernized. The number of soldiers is also increasing.

"Our task is to support Ukrainians. In addition to helping our neighbors, we constantly take care of the development of the Polish Armed Forces. Last year, the largest number of volunteers joined the Polish Military, 13,742 soldiers. This year, the first Abrams will be delivered to the Polish Army. In doing so, they will fill the gaps created by the donations. (...) Last year we received the first delivery of Korean K-2 tanks and K-9 howitzers. The Polish Armed Forces are also developing both in the NATO format and in bilateral cooperation with the United States. At the invitation of the Mr. President, President Joe Biden will visit Poland next week. This is also an expression of our effectiveness, in our efforts in seeking strengthening security in Poland, but also on the entire NATO's eastern flank."

- the head of the Ministry of Defense said in Swietoszow.

"We met with Ukrainian soldiers who came here for training as part of the military assistance component, of which, it is fair to say, we are the main inspirer and organizer. At the request of the Ukrainian side, we decided to donate a company of our Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine so that it could counter the Russian invasion with modern tanks of Western design. We have called on our Allies and asked them to also donate Leopard tanks to Ukraine. As part of this assistance, we wish to see an entire armored brigade assembled. We have a positive response from the Allies."

- President A. Duda noted.

The training carried out at the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade includes, among other things, the training of Leopard tank crews. Coordination of the Mission is entrusted to the commander of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division. The training of Ukrainian tank crews in Poland is also supported by Canadian Allies as instructors.

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The 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade is part of the 11th Armored Cavalry Division. The LEOPARD Training Center was established in 2007. It is a specialized facility, equipped with a modern base of contemporary battlefield simulation, which conducts training using a base of simulators and other equipment at its disposal.