The U.S. Department of Defense is now expediting the delivery of M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
This was confirmed by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during an April 21 joint meeting of the Defense Contact Group (DCG) at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. The DCG is composed of 54 allied nations that have provided military aid and weapons to Ukraine since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February 2022.
"We've expedited our M1 Abrams timelines to supply Ukraine with more armored capability in the coming months," said Austin. "The [tanks] that the Ukrainians will use for training will arrive here in Germany in the next few weeks."
Austin's confirmation followed reports from earlier in the day that 31 Abrams tanks are set to arrive in Germany soon. Ukrainian operators will then undergo an additional 10 weeks of training. Given this timeline, the tanks could finally reach the battlefield by fall 2023.
Aside from the announcement regarding the Abrams tanks, the DCG meeting also announced the establishment of the repair hub for German Leopard II tanks being used in Ukraine. (Related: Secret factory in Poland now repairing Ukrainian armor, artillery and equipment to send it back to the front lines.)
Berlin, Warsaw and Kyiv signed the tripartite agreement to establish the tank repair hub during the meeting. According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the hub will cost around €150 million ($165 million) to €200 million ($221 million) to operate every year. He added that it could begin operations at the end of May this year.
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The DCG meeting revolved around Ukraine's declaration that a "tank coalition" involving partner nations now exists. However, it is unclear whether the tanks would do any better given that Russia clearly has the upper hand in the city of Bakhmut – part of the Donetsk People's Republic.
Defense officials tout continued "assistance" to Kyiv
"Right after Russia invaded, we surged in Javelins and Stingers, and then we provided Ukraine's defenders with howitzers, HIMARS and other artillery. We continue to rush in ground-based air defense capabilities and munitions to help Ukraine control its sovereign skies and to help Ukraine defend its citizens from Russian cruise missiles and Iranian drones," Austin said.
"Our collective efforts have made a huge difference on the battlefield, and now, in just a few short months, the Contact Group has delivered more than 230 tanks, more than 1,550 armored vehicles and other equipment and munitions to support more than nine new armored brigades."
The defense secretary also addressed the recent leaks of U.S. intelligence documents, telling the attendees of the meeting that he takes the matter "extremely seriously." Austin continued: "We will continue to work closely and – with our deeply-valued allies and partners in a spirit of abiding respect and friendship."
Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, also reiterated that the U.S. has committed more than $35 billion in military assistance to Ukraine as of writing. These include "over two million tank and artillery rounds; tens of thousands of anti-armor weapons systems, air defense systems; and other forms of munitions; hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles; and precision aerial munitions" for use against drones.
"In addition, there are about 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers conducting training right now in Germany. Another 8,800 … have completed training and have returned to Ukraine. And there are 65 Ukrainians that completed training on Patriot missile systems just recently."
At a later question and answer session, Milley told Rachel Cohen of Defense News that Washington's task and commitment to Ukraine were to train and arm nine brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
"Our task and our commitment to Ukraine was to provide the training and the equipment for up to nine … armored [mechanized] brigades to conduct either offensive or defensive operations. Those brigades are trained, they're manned, they're equipped and they are prepared for combat operations."
Watch this clip of a Ukrainian tank firing at Russian trenches and getting artillery fire in return.
This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.
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NATO countries set to provide modern tanks to Ukraine as war with Russia grinds on.
Footage captures large amount of US military equipment at Polish port.
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