On January 25, the US announced it would deliver 31 advanced M1 Abrams tanks over the next few months to Ukraine, a decision that is expected to help break a diplomatic stalemate with Germany over how best to support the military. for Kiev.
According to a VNA reporter at Americathe decision was announced by President Joe Biden in a speech at the White House in the context that the country was previously not interested in the idea of deploying the difficult-to-maintain M1 Abrams tank to Ukraine, but changed tactics. to persuade Germany to send the Leopard 2 . tank easier to use to this Eastern European country.
Under the plan, the US will provide the M1 Abrams tank – one of the most powerful main battle tanks in the US – through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative fund, which will allow the Biden administration to buy weapons from industry. country, instead of drawing from the existing US arsenal, although this will take more time.
[Nga phản ứng trước thông tin Mỹ cung cấp xe tăng M1 Abrams cho Ukraine]
Even so, senior US administration officials say the delivery of the M1 Abrams tanks will take months, not weeks, and that Washington’s move is aimed at equipping the country’s long-term defense. Ukraine.
Ukrainian soldiers will be trained in the use of Abrams tanks at an unspecified location.
As an extremely complex and expensive weapon, Abrams tanks are difficult to maintain and pose a logistical challenge because they run on jet fuel.
Total cost of one Abrams tank can vary and can amount to more than 10 million USD per tank when training and maintenance are included.
Earlier on the same day, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany would supply Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, paving the way for other countries such as Poland, Spain and Norway to supply Leopard tanks to this country.
The decision by the US and Germany comes as Western countries are helping Ukraine prepare for a potential counterattack in the spring to push Russia out of territories currently controlled by Moscow.
Doan Hung (VNA/Vietnam+)