US Expedites Delivery of Abrams Battle Tanks to Ukraine

The United States is expediting its delivery of battle tanks to Ukraine by providing a different variant of armored capability than previously decided. Ukraine will still receive a full battalion of Abrams battle tanks from the United States, but will be getting the M1A1 variant rather than the M1A2 variant. The M1A1 is a slightly older variant with similar armament but older electronic systems and different tracks. “[Department of Defense] announced in January that the United States would be providing 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance initiative with the intent of providing the M1A2 variant,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder during a March 21 press conference....