U.S. expected to send Abrams M-1 tanks to Ukraine, directing a political message to Germany

[RandySF]

WASHINGTON — Putting aside resistance from the Pentagon and elsewhere, the Biden administration is planning to announce a decision to send Abrams M-1 tanks to Ukraine, officials said Tuesday.
The tanks, long sought by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, would provide the heaviest weaponry yet among the billions of dollars in military aid Washington has sent to Ukraine to help repel a brutal Russian invasion.

But given the sophistication, complexity and firepower of the tanks, it could be months or even more than a year before they reach the battlefield and Ukrainian fighters are trained to use the equipment.

Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, in a nod to objections from Defense Department officials, said the Abrams tank was a major asset in combat, but not one that is easy to operate.

The tank “is a very capable battlefield platform,” he said Tuesday, adding, “it’s also very complex capability.”

“And so, like anything that we’re providing to Ukraine, we want to ensure that they have the ability to maintain it, sustain it, to train on it.”



https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-01-24/u-s-expected-to-send-abram-m-1-tanks-to-ukraine

[James48]

1. It's going to take months.

And Ukraine needs to get several battalions started training - first in sone familiarization in Poland, and then serious range training in Germany. I don’t think they’ll come to Texas or Georgia to train, but that might be good too.

[Brother Buzz]

2. How do we know an advanced team of Ukrainian tank commanders aren't already being plugged in?

I understand they are initially talking about only a dozen, or so, Abrams M-1 tanks.