Eurasia Press & News
The Defense Department has announced the arrival of 31 M1 Abrams training tanks to Grafenwoehr, Germany, in preparation for U.S.-led training of Ukrainian tank crews and maintainers before the tanks are sent to the front lines to arm Ukrainian forces against Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression.
Ukrainian crews are expected to arrive in Germany and begin training in the upcoming weeks, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said during a briefing today.
“As we’ve discussed previously, this extensive training program for Ukrainian crews and maintainers is intended to prepare them for their critical roles ahead and effectively operating the M1 tank and defending Ukrainian people,” Ryder said.
The U.S. announced that it would deliver the tanks, armed with advanced armor and weapons, in January. Originally the U.S. planned on procuring new M1A2 Abrams tanks to send to Ukraine, using funds from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
However, the Defense Department decided in March to refurbish M1A1 Abrams tanks already in U.S. inventory to shorten the timeline.
The M1A1 variant will have “a very similar capability” to the M1A2, Ryder said in March.
The U.S. is on track to deliver those 31 combat-ready tanks to Ukraine in the fall and will be preparing crews on training versions concurrent with the refurbishment process in preparation for the delivery.
The training will not only prepare crews for operating the tanks in battle, Ryder said, but will also prepare maintenance personnel to keep the them operational.
