Biden Administration to Send Abrams Tanks to Ukraine, Strengthening Ukraine’s Defense Capabilities Against Russian Invasion

The Biden administration is preparing to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, according to three senior U.S. officials. This news comes on the heels of Germany’s expected announcement that it will be sending its own Leopard tanks, and Poland’s request to Berlin Monday for permission to export its own Leopard tanks, which were made in Germany.

The current plan includes a couple dozen Abrams tanks, but the officials stressed that the decision is not yet final and could change. It’s unclear how many tanks are being sent, and Ukrainian tank crews must first be trained in both operations and maintenance. The tanks would be paid for through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which draws weapons and equipment from private industry rather than from the U.S. stockpile.

It will take many months before the high-tech vehicles arrive on the ground in Ukraine, the officials said, and the training for Ukrainian troops is also expected to take several months. U.S. officials said it would likely take months before Abrams tanks arrive in Ukraine. Once they arrive in force, the tanks would give Ukraine major new capabilities to launch offensives against dug-in Russian troops.

The Abrams tanks will join other modern tanks from Germany and Poland, becoming the latest country to agree to bring modern tanks to Ukraine as it fights off the Russian invasion. The Biden administration’s decision to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine is a major step in the country’s fight against the Russian invasion and will help to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.