Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Pat Ryder told Voice of America that U.S. forces will begin training Ukrainian troops on M1A1 Abrams tanks in "about a week." A senior U.S. military official, who requested anonymity, also informed Voice of America that approximately 250 Ukrainian troops will travel to Germany for training this week. They will practice with 31 Abrams tanks that were sent to Germany earlier this month. The training will last about 10 weeks and will focus on how to operate the tanks, maneuver in combined battles, and tank maintenance. Another 31 tanks of the same type will be delivered to Ukraine this fall. The thick armor and 1,500-horsepower turbine engine of the Abrams tanks are much more advanced than the Soviet-era tanks that Ukraine has been using since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022. The United States initially announced in January that it would send a newer version of the Abrams tanks, the M1A2 Abrams, to Ukraine after production. However, since this process could take years, in March, it replaced the promised tanks with M1A1 Abrams. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is scheduled to host a virtual meeting on Thursday, May 25, with military and defense leaders from over 50 countries, including Ukraine, to discuss ground-based air defense, training on F-16 jets, and Ukraine's ammunition needs. Brigadier General Ryder stated, "The delivery of F-16s to Ukraine is a long-term program and is not related to the upcoming counteroffensive." He emphasized that training in this regard will take place in Europe and may take weeks or months to begin. Last Friday, President Joe Biden announced that the United States supports international joint efforts to train Ukrainian pilots on modern fighter jets, including the F-16. In response, Alexander Grushko, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, warned that Western countries would face significant risks if they supplied fighter jets to Ukraine. Biden confirmed the training program for Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 fighter jet and unveiled a new $375 million military aid package to Ukraine. NATO stated: "We are helping Ukraine defend itself," and the UK promised to send hundreds of anti-aircraft missiles and long-range drones to Ukraine.
Exclusive to Voice of America: Training of Ukrainian Forces for Use of Abrams Tanks to Begin in a Few Days
The U.S. is set to begin training Ukrainian forces on Abrams tanks in about a week, with 250 troops traveling to Germany for the program. This training is part of broader military support from the U.S. and NATO to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russian aggression. The situation highlights the ongoing international commitment to Ukraine amidst rising tensions with Russia.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The U.S. will begin training 250 Ukrainian troops on M1A1 Abrams tanks in Germany, enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities against Russia. This training is part of a broader military support initiative from the U.S. and NATO.
- Training will last approximately 10 weeks and will cover tank operation and maintenance.
- The U.S. is also supporting the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Western nations have significantly increased military support for Ukraine to bolster its defenses. The Abrams tanks represent a shift to more advanced military technology compared to what Ukraine has previously used.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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