Abrams tanks for the Armed Forces: Ukraine requests the U.S. to continue training

9 September, 2023 US Army M1A1 SA Abrams tanks for Ukrainian training in Germany, May 2023. Photo credits: 7th Army Training Command At Ukraine's request, the Pentagon has extended the training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on American M1 Abrams tanks for several more weeks.

This is necessary for Ukrainian soldiers to improve their skills in operating and repairing the tanks. The Voice of America cites U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command's spokesperson Col.

Martin O'Donnell. According to him, the training was continued while 31 American Abrams tanks, which are being prepared for the transfer to Ukraine as part of military aid, are being converted. "At Ukraine's request, the military will maintain its handling and repair skills until the 31 tanks that the U.S. has pledged to convert and provide to Ukraine in the fall are ready," O'Donnell said.

Army M1A1 SA Abrams tanks for Ukrainian training in Germany, May 2023. Photo credits: 7th Army Training Command

He noted that the training of the Ukrainian military was expected to take several weeks. The Ukrainians are being trained on M1 Abrams tanks at the U.S.

Army training ground in Germany. About 200 soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are participating. The main training course ended in August.

As previously reported, Ukraine would receive the first ten Abrams tanks in mid-September. Now the Ukrainian side has decided to wait until all the promised U.S. tanks are ready. Thus, it will receive a full-fledged tank battalion.

The United States also included depleted uranium rounds in the military aid package for Ukraine, which was announced on September 6. As previously reported, at the end of May, the first group of Ukrainian servicemen in Germany began training on American M1 Abrams tanks. The training program includes not only the instruction of crews to operate American tanks but also the exercise for maintenance personnel of these tanks.

Photo from open sources

In early August, the United States officially approved the transfer of the first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine. It was initially planned that the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative would fund the transfer and purchase of new tanks from the manufacturer. Then it was decided to withdraw the equipment from the U.S.

Army's stockpile.

Tanks will be refurbished and refitted before shipping.

The West hopes that the arrival of the tanks will give Ukrainian troops an advantage on the battlefield.