US Secretary of Defense announces M1A1 Abrams tanks will enter Ukraine soon.

According to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on September 19, the United States will soon send refurbished M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine: "American M1 tanks will be arriving in Ukraine soon. That will add another formidable armor capability to join the Leopards that are already on the battlefield," said Austin.
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The M1A1 Abrams tanks are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine during the autumn period (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

31 refurbished ex-USMC M1A1 tanks are part of a $43 billion security support pledge made by Washington to Kyiv at the beginning of 2023 after Russia's operation started in Ukraine in February 2022. According to a senior US military official, the procedure will be finished in a few weeks after the first tanks are dispatched.

Let us recall that, according to CNN on August 7, 2023, the United States had given the go-ahead for the first delivery of M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. According to Army Acquisition Chief Doug Bush's statement on the same day, they are scheduled to arrive in Ukraine during the early autumn period.

The tanks, which consist of older M1A1 models due to their faster availability compared to the more modern A2 version, will be accompanied by a range of supplies including ammunition, spare parts, fuel equipment, and repair facilities, reflecting the comprehensive nature of this deployment.

The initial shipment is expected to consist of 6 to 8 tanks, with the ultimate plan involving a total of 31 tanks, equivalent to the strength of a Ukrainian battalion. However, before Ukrainian forces could effectively utilize these tanks, they completed a training program that spanned approximately 10 weeks last summer, utilizing 31 trainer tanks stationed at Germany's Grafenwoehr base.

Efforts are underway through collaboration between the U.S. and its European allies to establish comprehensive maintenance and repair facilities. These facilities are integral for the maintenance of the Abrams tanks and other heavy armor intended for Ukraine. This cooperative endeavor is designed to provide training for Ukrainian personnel, ensuring proper repairs and a consistent supply of spare parts, contributing to the long-term enhancement of Ukraine's military capabilities.

The imminent arrival of the Abrams tanks is expected to provide an advantage to Ukraine's military operations, particularly in the contested southern and eastern regions. Here, Ukrainian forces are striving to identify vulnerabilities in the Russian defensive lines. Despite the challenge posed by heavily fortified Russian positions along the extensive frontline, Ukrainian forces remain steadfast in their determination to regain control of territory and continue with their counteroffensive efforts.

Defense News September 2023