The US has officially approved the delivery of the first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine: they are due to arrive in autumn

The United States has officially approved the shipment of the first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine. This includes 31 units of this military equipment.

The tanks are expected to arrive in our country in autumn. This was announced by Doug Bush, Chief of the US Army's Procurement Division, at a briefing on Monday, 7 August, CNN reports.

According to him, the first batch was approved for shipment to the Ukrainian Defence Forces over the weekend.

"Now they have to get to Europe, and then to Ukraine, along with everything that goes with them. Ammunition, spare parts, fuel equipment, repair facilities. So, you know, it's not just the tanks, it's the whole package that goes with it. It's still a work in progress," Bush said.

According to the newspaper, the training on the management of American Abrams tanks took place in Germany in May 2023. The 31 tanks destined for Ukraine had been undergoing repairs and preparations for shipment for several months.

The M1 Abrams (named after General Creighton Abrams, former Chief of Staff of the US Army and Commander of the US Armed Forces in Vietnam) is a third-generation American main battle tank.

The vehicle is powered by a Honeywell AGT 1500 gas turbine engine with a capacity of 1,500 horsepower and a six-speed (four forward, two reverse) Allison X-1100-3B automatic transmission.

The tank can reach a top speed of 72 km/h on paved roads and 48 km/h on rough terrain.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the United States said that in a few weeks it would start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters. It will take place in Europe and will last for several months. At the same time, no country has committed to sending F-16s to Kyiv.

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