The United States will give Ukraine an older variant of Abrams battle tanks than was initially planned.
The Department of Defense Press Secretary, Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, said at a briefing that the delivery would be in the fall of 2023.
According to the Pentagon press secretary, the United States has changed course and will give Ukraine 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks instead of newer M1A2 variants, as was originally planned.
He underscored that the Pentagon had made this decision in close coordination with Ukraine.
General Rider said that the provision of the M1A1 modification would significantly expedite delivery timelines. The tanks are to be in Ukraine by the fall of this year.
He added that the United States would provide Ukraine with advanced armor and weapons systems that have a very similar capability to the M1A2, including a 50-caliber heavy machine gun and a 120mm cannon.
Earlier, the U.S. planned to send 31 newer M1A2 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which would have taken a year or two to make and deliver.
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