Ukraine will receive older Abrams tanks: the expert explained whether they are worse than the promised M1A2
This version was chosen in order to provide the APU with tanks as soon as possible.
The US will give Ukraine an older version of the Abrams M1A1 tanks instead of the promised M1A2 to speed up their delivery. Valery Ryabykh, development director of the information and consulting company Defense Express, emphasized that the fact that these tanks are older does not mean that they are worse.
As the expert noted on the air of the Espresso TV channel, the Abrams M1A1 tanks are also modern and will help the Ukrainian defenders during the counteroffensive.
“Some are frightened by the fact that the Americans proposed the M1A1 Abrams version, but this is more likely not from knowledge of the topic. It should be noted that the fact that the M1A2 version is not being transmitted does not mean that these tanks can be worse. When they made a statement about the acceleration of transmission , the emphasis was placed on the fact that this version was chosen in order to provide the Armed Forces of Ukraine with tanks as soon as possible,” Ryabykh explained.
According to the expert, the Abrams tanks that Ukraine will receive should work in conjunction with the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles delivered earlier. He stressed that in the United States, these two versions of tanks exist and are being modernized in parallel.
“The designation A1 does not mean that this is an old tank. They were modernized, received modern control systems, enemy detection and guidance, including night channels. In general, this is one of the modern versions, which will become an additional trump card in the hands of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in business complete liberation of the territories of Ukraine during the counter-offensive operation. This decision will accelerate the receipt of such a desired means in order to further destroy the invaders on our land,” Ryabykh concluded.
Abrams tanks for Ukraine
In January 2023, United States President Joe Biden announced the transfer of 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, which will form a tank battalion. However, the United States immediately noted that this process would take more than one month.
In February, U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth noted that it could take more than a year for these tanks to reach Ukraine.
Subsequently, the United States began to look for ways to deliver Abrams tanks faster. They found a way out – instead of the promised version of the M1A2, M1A1 tanks will be sent. They should arrive in Ukraine by autumn 2023.