The administration Biden obtained 31 M1 Abrams tanks from Ukraine in a deal valued at $400 millionaccording to two officials beefed up with the matter, satisfying the country’s demands for powerful armor to counter entrenched Russian forces in the east of the country.
The tanks will be built by General Dynamics Corp. and financed under the Ukrainian Security Assistance Initiative, the sources said, asking not to be named citing private information. It was not clear how long it will take to build the tanks, but the process is likely to take many months.
Why are Leopard tanks important to the future of war in Ukraine?
The United States had come under heavy pressure from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to supply its most sophisticated main battle tank, but had rejected those demands, arguing that the Abrams was not suitable for Ukraine because it requires aviation fuel and a extensive training.
But Germany had refused to send its own tank, the Leopard 2, unless the US and its allies followed suit. The supply of the Leopard 2 is much more abundant and it could reach the battlefield much more quickly..
Earlier on Wednesday, Germany pledged to supply Ukraine with more than 100 Leopard 2 main battle tanks in a joint effort with the allies.
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