DEVELOPING: U.S. officials confirm the Biden administration is leaning toward sending M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. A decision could be announced as early as this week.
A M1A2 Abrams battle tank of the US army that will be used for military exercises by the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, is pictured at the Baltic Container Terminal in Gdynia, Dece. 03, 2022.U.S. officials confirm that the Biden administration is leaning towardOne official said that the U.S. will commit to sending between 30 to 50 tanks to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which means the U.S. will arrange for the contracting of the tanks with their manufacturer.
President Joe Biden has not made a final decision, but the transfer of Abrams would presumably enable Germany to authorize the transfer of German-made Leopard 2s to Ukraine -- which would allow the 12 NATO countries that have Leopard 2s to transfer them to Ukraine, with the most vocal of those countries being Poland.
A M1A2 Abrams battle tank of the US army that will be used for military exercises by the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, is pictured at the Baltic Container Terminal in Gdynia, Dece. 03, 2022.For weeks, Pentagon officials said publicly that the Abrams tanks weren't suited for the fight in Ukraine, including because of the fuel they need to operate. But officials also did not rule out the vehicles as a potential long-term possibility.
"I am aware of the press reporting stating that the U.S. is considering providing Abrams tanks to Ukraine. I have no announcements to make at this time and when we do, we'll be sure to let you know," Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at a briefing on Tuesday. "As always, we continue to remain in close contact with Ukrainians and our international allies and partners on Ukraine's most pressing security assistance requirements to include their near-, medium- and long-term needs," Ryder said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lawmakers call for sending Abrams tanks to Ukraine as Russia warns of 'global catastrophe'Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., again called on the Biden administration to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine on Sunday, saying that 'tanks are outcome determinative in expelling Russia.'
Read more »
Were Abrams tanks seen failing to climb hills, being 'blown up' in Ukraine?Posts on Telegram, Twitter and TikTok purporting to show the American vehicles 'struggling' in harsh terrain are mislabeled, Misinformation Watch found.
Read more »
US may deliver 'significant number' of Abrams tanks to Ukraine despite Pentagon misgivingsThe US may deliver a significant number of Abrams tanks to Ukraine despite misgivings from the Pentagon. The U.S. and Germany have disagreed over who should supply tanks.
Read more »
US finalizing plans to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine, US officials say | CNN PoliticsThe Biden administration is finalizing plans to send US-made Abrams tanks to Ukraine and could make an announcement as soon as this week, according to three US officials familiar with the deliberations.
Read more »
In reversal, US poised to approve Abrams tanks for UkraineWASHINGTON (AP) — In what would be a reversal, the Biden administration is poised to approve sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as international reluctance to send tanks to the battlefront against the Russians begins to erode.
Read more »