President Joe Biden introduced at present that the USA will present Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks. That’s the required quantity to equip a complete Ukraine tank battalion.
These tanks are wanted, Biden mentioned, as a result of Ukrainian forces are working to defend the territory they maintain and shall be higher ready for extra counter-offenses.
“They want to have the ability to counter Russia’s evolving ways and technique on the battlefield within the very close to time period. They should enhance their skill to maneuver in open terrain. And, they want a permanent functionality to discourage and defend towards Russian aggression over the long run,” the president mentioned.
The Abrams tanks are probably the most succesful tanks on the earth. And, they’re additionally extraordinarily advanced to function and preserve. Together with the tanks, the U.S. shall be giving Ukraine the components and gear essential to successfully restore and preserve these tanks on the battlefield, he mentioned.
Ukrainian troops shall be given coaching on logistics and upkeep as quickly as potential, as precise supply of those tanks will take a while, he mentioned.
This morning, Biden mentioned he had an extended dialog with NATO allies, together with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni concerning continued shut coordination and assist of Ukraine.
Biden talked about sturdy allied assist for Ukraine, which can embrace German Leopard 2 tanks, a German Patriot missile battery, Challenger 2 tanks from the UK, and AMX-10 armored combating autos from France.
“That is about serving to Ukraine defend and defend Ukrainian land. It’s not an offensive menace to Russia,” he mentioned.
“The expectation on the a part of Russia is we will break up, we’re not going to remain united. However we’re totally completely completely united,” Biden mentioned, talking of the 50 nations which might be a part of the Ukraine Protection Contact Group.
Senior administration officers mentioned earlier at present that these Abrams tanks shall be procured by way of Ukraine Safety Help Initiative funding.
Not like the presidential drawdown authority, USAI is an authority beneath which the USA procures capabilities from business moderately than delivering gear that’s drawn down from DOD shares.
The officers additionally famous that eight M88 restoration autos may even be shipped to Ukraine, to accompany the 31 tanks.