US tanks might not reach Ukraine this year: American defense official

Europe, News, US February 25, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

It has been almost 2 months since the Biden administration announced sending a batch of 31 Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine, however, in the latest developments, it has been announced that these tanks may not arrive in Ukraine until next year.

According to the Secretary of the U.S. Army Christine Wormuth transporting the vehicles to Ukraine “is not going to be a matter of weeks.” She said that “We are looking at what’s the fastest way we can get the tanks to the Ukrainians. It’s not going to be a matter of weeks”.

Wormuth added that “None of the options that we’re exploring are weeks or two months. There are longer timelines involved, but I think there are options that are less than two years, less than a year-and-a-half.”

Although Wormuth did not specify any time frame during which these tanks could arrive in Ukraine, she indicated that it would not be possible for the U.S. to send tanks within this year. She said that the tanks are being produced from the scratch.

Fearing a fierce land attack in the spring, Ukraine has been pleading to its western allies for advanced weaponry including tanks and fighter jets. Ukraine’s request saw a substantial success after several European countries responded by announcing to send of refurbished German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Germany allowed its western partners to send older tanks to Ukraine while the U.S. also announced sending its Abrams M1 tanks. There are around 2,000 Leopard tanks stocked across over a dozen European countries that can be sent to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request for fighter jets, however, did not meet substantial success even after his trip to Europe and the U.S. In the latest military aid package announced by the U.S., Ukraine is set to receive send more HIMARS ammunition and drones to mark one year anniversary of the Russian invasion.

*^{U.S. Army Abrams main battle tanks. (Image Credit: Mindaugas Kulbis/AP)}*

The U.S. Department of Defense announced a new, $2 billion military aid package to Ukraine and the U.S. Department of State issued new sanctions targeting Russia’s metals and mining sector and financial institutions, as well as international firms with alleged ties to Moscow’s push to evade previous sanctions.

A statement released by the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that “The United States stands strongly with Ukraine as it defends itself, and we will continue to do so until Ukraine’s sovereignty is respected and the people of Ukraine can shape their chosen, democratic future in freedom and peace.”

The statement further added that “The United States will continue to work with its Allies and partners to provide Ukraine with capabilities to meet its immediate battlefield needs and longer-term security assistance requirements for as long as it takes.”