In Germany 31 heavy tanks for the training of Ukrainian crews

Thirty-one heavy tanks that the US promised to deliver to Ukraine earlier this year have arrived at a training center in Germany, the US Department of Defense announced on Monday.

“I can confirm that 31 M1 Abrams tank trainers have arrived in Graffenwer, Germany in preparation for (…) training of Ukrainian crews,” Lt. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters in Washington.

An American training base is located in Grafenwer (Northern Bavaria).

As the Pentagon spokesman explained, the crews will arrive at the base and begin training in the use of the American tanks within the “next two weeks”.

“As we have already mentioned, this extensive training program for Ukrainian crews and maintainers is intended to prepare them for their critical roles in the effective use of the M1 tank and the defense of the Ukrainian people,” according to Mr. Ryder.

In late April, the head of the US National Defense Staff, General Mark Milley, said during a meeting of the so-called contact group for Ukraine in Ramstein that Washington would send tanks that are not suitable for use in the field, but can to be used for educational purposes.

M1 Abrams intended for war use are still in the process of being modified and repaired.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that Washington has decided to speed up the delivery and plans to supply Kiev with more armored vehicles in the coming months.

The decision to send the 31 US tanks to train Ukrainian crews was announced in January, almost simultaneously with the German government donating Leopard heavy tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces.