Training Ukrainian tank crews in Germany to operate advanced German-made tanks is on schedule, he said today the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius during his visit to a military training ground in northwest Germany.

“The aim is for the tanks, both Leopards and Marders, to be delivered (to Ukraine) by the end of March and the military training to be completed by then as wellPistorius emphasized at the base in the state of Lower Saxony.

During the visit, the German minister attended tank training and live-fire use of the smaller Marder infantry fighting vehicles as well as simulator training of the heavier Leopard 2 tank.

Ukrainian soldiers are scheduled to train for five weeks on the Leopard 2A6a German-made advanced battle tank to be sent to Ukraine.

“The difference is like between Mercedes and Lada”said a Ukrainian soldier comparing the German-made Leopard 2 to the Soviet-era T-72 tanks that Ukraine has.

“The goal is to make (Ukrainian crews) war-savvy so they can impose themselves in battle,” pointed out a German officer, who reported that about 20% of Ukrainian crews have combat experience while others have only basic military knowledge.

“Ukrainians are all highly motivated and very curious”said the German officer.

Pistorius was joined on the visit by a leading politician from the conservative opposition Christian Democrats, as well as Ukrainian former world boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko, brother of the current mayor of Kyiv.