lawmakers last week, the German government has shifted its stance, at one point denying it had linked the transfers of the Abrams and Leopards.Ī parade of Democrats and Republicans has pressured the Biden administration to grant Berlin’s request to send U.S.
The developments come after weeks of tense discussions between Washington, Berlin and their European allies. The program allows Washington to finance the purchase of weapons and equipment for Ukraine, as opposed to pulling them from existing U.S. The vehicles would likely come through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, according to another person familiar with the issue.
It is not the easiest system to maintain,” Colin Kahl, the Pentagon’s top policy official, told reporters last week after a trip to Kyiv. It has a jet engine, I think it’s about three gallons to the mile of jet fuel. “The Abrams tank is a very complicated piece of equipment. officials have said the Abrams made little operational sense for Ukraine at this moment because they guzzle jet fuel and require long supply lines to maintain. official, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter ahead of an announcement. The Pentagon never took tanks off the table, said another U.S. The decision marks a sharp reversal for the U.S., which has argued in public against sending Abrams tanks, saying they’re too expensive and require too much maintenance. “Training and delivery takes time,” this person added, “so, yes, might as well get started.” official said the deal is getting done in order to maintain “alliance unity, paves the way for Leopards and added capability for Ukraine. official said, though it’s unclear if the commander in chief has made a final decision.Īnother U.S. should send Abrams to Ukraine, a third U.S. officials said the Biden administration is considering sending around 30 Abrams tanks.ĭefense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a meeting this week recommended to President Joe Biden that the U.S.
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