Together with tanks, the Armed Forces will receive machinery and equipment for their maintenance and repair, ammunition, training funding.
The Pentagon detailed additional security assistance to Ukraine, which includes modern tanks.
As noted on the official site Pentagon, the Department of Defense announces the US purchase of Abrams tanks for Ukraine through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
It should be noted that unlike the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), which the Ministry of Defense continued to use to deliver equipment to Ukraine from the Ministry of Defense warehouses, USAI is the authority under which the United States purchases new equipment.
“This $400 million USAI package marks the beginning of the contracting process to provide additional capabilities to Ukraine.
Features of this package include:
- 31 Abrams tanks with 120-mm shells and other ammunition;
- Eight tactical vehicles for equipment recovery;
- Auxiliary vehicles and equipment;
- Funding for training, maintenance and support,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
It is also noted that, in addition to the Abrams tank battalion provided by the United States, the European coalition undertakes to provide Ukraine with two Leopard tank battalions in the near future.
“The United States will continue to work with our allies and partners to meet Ukraine’s needs on the battlefield to counter Russian aggression and ensure the continued freedom and independence of the Ukrainian people,” the US Department of Defense emphasized.
According to the Pentagon, since the beginning of the Joe Biden administration, the United States has allocated more than $27.8 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. The United States has provided more than $29.9 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since 2014 and more than $27.1 billion since the start of Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion on February 24, 2022.
US military aid to Ukraine
On January 25, 2023, US President Joe Biden officially announced on the delivery of 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. One tank battalion will be formed from them.
In addition, six are planned in the United States of America to increase the volume of production of 155 mm shells, which are now necessary for Ukraine. Their production will increase to 90,000 per month within two years.