The United States will renew and supply old tanks to Ukraine

Speaking at the daily press briefing, Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said: “As announced in January, the US would provide 31 M1 Abram tanks to the Ukrainian military as part of the Ukraine Security Initiative. . There the intention was to give the M1-A2 variant. But ever since we made that announcement, we’ve been looking at options to ship tanks as quickly as possible. After researching and studying how we can best do this, the Pentagon decided to issue the M1-A1 variant of the Abram tanks in coordination with Ukraine. This will significantly shorten the delivery time.” saying.

Ryder noted that the bodies of the M1-A1 tanks will be renewed and reported that these tanks will be supplied to the Ukrainian army until the fall.

Stating that the replacement of the tank hulls will be funded within the scope of the US defense budget under the Ukraine Security Initiative, Ryder emphasized that the procurement of the first announced tanks may take more than a year.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The United States had long resisted not giving tanks to Ukraine. President Joe Biden’s administration found itself in a difficult situation when Germany stipulated that the US should supply tanks first in the debate over supplying Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

The administration changed its rhetoric in no time and announced that 31 M1A Abrams tanks would be purchased on January 24 for delivery to the Ukrainian military.

Thereupon, Germany announced that it would deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allowed countries with these tanks to take a step in that direction. (AA)