As the war gets close to the one-year milestone, President Biden said Wednesday afternoon that he has authorized sending 31 Abram tanks to Ukraine.
“As springtime draws near, Ukrainian soldiers are striving to protect the ground they control and getting ready for more counteroffensives to free their territories. In the very near future, they must be able to defeat Russia’s shifting strategy and tactics on the battlefield. They need to be better at navigating broad terrain and improving their maneuverability, and they also need to develop durable defenses that can withstand long-term Russian aggression,” according to Biden.
He continued, “Today, I’m declaring that the United States will supply 31 Abram tanks to Ukraine, which is the same as one Ukrainian battalion.”
Although Biden did not address the price tag, the Department of Defense soon after his speech disclosed a $400 million package in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
The Department of Defense stated in a news release that “this $400 million USAI package signifies the beginning of a contractual process to supply further capabilities to Ukraine.”
Along with 31 Abrams main combat tanks, eight tactical vehicles for equipment recovery, support equipment, and vehicles, and funds for training, maintenance, and sustainment, the package would also include ammunition for 120mm rounds.
Since January 2021, the United States has pledged $27.8 billion in security aid to Ukraine. Since then, the U.S. has invested over $113 billion in Ukraine altogether.
“As quickly as feasible,” Biden promised, Ukrainian forces would get training in logistics, maintenance, and sustainment, as well as the replacement parts and tools required to keep tanks operational.
“Delivering these tanks to the field,” he added, “will take time.” He and senior defense officials who briefed reporters earlier did not specify when the tanks would arrive or when Ukrainian military would get tank operation training.
“Another Forever War — while Communist China runs rampant, undaunted,” tweeted Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO).
Although defense experts have long voiced doubts that the advanced tanks were the best equipment for Ukrainian soldiers at the time owing to the challenging training and maintenance needs, Biden claimed that Secretary Of defense Lloyd Austin had endorsed the action.
However, the decision was made under strong international pressure to deliver the tanks.
A break in the deadlock among NATO allies on whether to send sophisticated tanks to Ukraine was signaled earlier in the day when Germany declared it would send 14 Leopard 2 tanks there. The United States had encouraged Germany to provide Leopard 2 tanks, but Germany was hesitant to do so without a guarantee that the United States would also supply Abrams tanks.
By declaring, “We wanted to ensure we were all together,” Biden refuted claims that Germany had compelled him to send the tanks.
Zelensky’s birthday is today, according to Biden, who also sent him birthday greetings.
“We are with you for as long as it takes, Mr. President,” he continued.
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