Ukraine will receive M1A1 Abrams tanks by autumn – Pentagon

The Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine earlier than expected. Instead of the M1A2 Abrams promised in January of this year, the Defense Forces of Ukraine will receive M1A1 tanks. The transfer should take place by autumn.

This is announced in the Pentagon’s statement.

The decision to send M1A1 Abrams tanks was made jointly with Ukraine.

“DOD, in close coordination with Ukraine, has made the decision to provide the M1A1 variant of the Abrams tank, which will enable us to significantly expedite delivery timelines and deliver this important capability to Ukraine by the fall of this year,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder shared during a briefing.

According to Ryder, the M1A1 Abrams will have “a very similar capability” to the M1A2, including advanced armor and weapons systems, such as a 120 mm cannon and 50-caliber heavy machine gun.

It was planned that the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative would fund the transfer and purchase of new tanks from the manufacturer.

Now the equipment in question is already in service with the United States. Tank hulls will be refurbished and refitted before shipping.

“You’ve heard us talk in the past about meeting not only their (Ukraine’s) near-term needs but their medium-term needs. Taking territory, retaking territory, you know, as part of any offensive will be important … as will sustaining those gains at some point in the future, as well as being able to deter future Russian aggression,” Ryder said.

He also noted that preparations for the training of the Ukrainian military are underway.

“We will ensure that the Ukrainians receive the necessary training on these tanks in time. We’ll have more details to provide on that training in the future,” the Pentagon Press Secretary said.

Information about the transfer of M1A1 Abrams to Ukraine appeared the day before.

The main difference between the basic versions of the M1A2 and the M1A1 is a more powerful armor protection package, which tanks are equipped with, and modern electronics. However, the FEP and AIM-SA versions of the M1A1, which are currently in service with the U.S. Army, have undergone significant modernization, which partially brought them to the M1A2 level.