Stars and Stripes
May 25, 2023

Abrams tanks for training Ukrainians now in Europe, Pentagon hopes to begin F-16 pilot training soon

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday that more than 30 American-made M1 Abrams tanks for training Ukrainians have arrived in Europe, so they are prepared for when the battle-ready versions arrive later in the year.

“Earlier this month, 31 M1 Abrams training tanks from the United States arrived at Grafenwöhr in Germany,” Austin said at the start of a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a collection of about 50 nations that convenes regularly to decide what equipment Ukrainian forces need….

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“We have been focused from the very beginning on providing Ukraine the capabilities it needs to be successful on the battlefield,” Austin said after the Ukraine group met during a news conference with Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

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When Austin and Biden chose to send the M1A2 version of the tank, the most sophisticated version, it was decided to build them through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative….

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Roughly 250 Ukrainian troops will arrive in Germany this week to begin training on the tanks, according to a report by Voice of America.

The meeting of the defense contact group covered some new issues, such as the recent international agreement to train Ukrainian pilots on fourth-generation fighter jets, including the U.S.-made F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Abrams tanks in Grafenwöhr, Germany, 2022. Photo: U.S. Army.