Ukrainian troops are set to receive training on American M1 Abrams tanks in Germany in the coming weeks, according to U.S. defense officials. This move is seen as a significant step in arming Kyiv as it seeks to regain territory from Russia. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III announced the timeline during a meeting with allies at Ramstein Air Base. The training program is expected to take 10 weeks, with around 31 tanks arriving in Germany. Officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that combat-ready tanks could be deployed to Ukraine by the fall.
However, the United States has refused to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. Speaking at a news conference after the meeting, Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that Ukraine’s air-defense system had been effective for over a year and had kept…
2023-04-21 17:48:07
Original from www.nytimes.com