Pentagon confirms Ukraine will receive modern modification of Abrams tanks
The Pentagon has confirmed that they plan to transfer to Ukraine a modern modification of the Abrams M1A2 tanks, not the A1, the stocks of which are available in the American military.
Source: Sabrina Singh, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, during a press briefing, reported European Pravda
Quote from Singh: "We're working through the details right now. We're trying to procure new tanks through the USAI (Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative)... It will entail working with industry and contracting those out, and part of that is acquiring new tanks. so that is our goal in the process."
Details: Singh emphasised that she cannot determine the timeline of when Abrams tanks will come to Ukraine, clarifying that "It's going to be not weeks, it's going to be months".
She also said that it has not yet been decided where the Ukrainians will undergo training on the tanks.
"In terms of how soon, I just don't have a timeline for you. We are trying to get the training set up, but I can not say where that's going to be and when, I just don't have that available at this moment," she said.
She also commented on the complaints that appeared in the media about the allegedly small number of American tanks.
"I think it's certainly not a symbolic commitment, it is a commitment that we're in for the long term, we're in it for what Ukraine might need on the battlefield in the coming future and then further out in the future," Singh added.
M1A2 Abrams has more advanced optics and a control system than the A1, which allows for more accurate targeting, and a separate thermal imager for the crew commander, which allows for independent identification of targets in any weather and battlefield conditions.
Also, the new modification of the tank contains digitised control mechanisms, which allows them to continuously and automatically exchange information, quickly track the location of friendly machines, identify enemy positions and process artillery requests.
Background:
- On 25 January, US President Joe Biden confirmed his intention to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, equal to one Ukrainian battalion, to strengthen its defence capabilities against the backdrop of Russian aggression.
- Along with the tanks, the USA will train the Ukrainian military and provide spare parts as soon as possible.
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