Next month US military to train Ukrainian soldiers in M1A1 Abrams tank operation.
Next month, U.S. military personnel will start the training of Ukrainian soldiers to operate the American M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT), as declared the U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday, April 21, 2023. Around 250 Ukrainian soldiers will be trained during 10 weeks to learn how to operate and repair the tanks.
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U.S. Marines with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, drive an M1A1 Abrams tank during the Combat Enhancement Training/Force Integration Training phase of Exercise Trident Juncture 18 near Storås, Norway, Oct. 25, 2018. (Picture source U.S. DoD)
Citing information provided by the U.S. Defense Official, it is panned that the first M1A1 Abrams MBTs (Main Battle Tanks) will arrive in Germany at the end of May 2023.
In the upcoming weeks, 31 Abrams training tanks are set to be delivered to the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria Grafenwoehr in eastern Germany, according to a defense official. Simultaneously, another consignment consisting of 31 M1A1s, modified to comply with Ukrainian requirements, is anticipated to arrive at Ukrainian combat zones by the conclusion of the year.
On January 26, 2023, U.S. Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh announced that the United States will deliver to Ukraine 31 M1 Abrams MBTs.
The M1A1 Abrams is an advanced, heavily armored, third-generation main battle tank (MBT) designed and manufactured by the United States. It is an upgraded version of the original M1 Abrams tank and was first introduced into service in 1986.
The M1A1 Abrams is known for its exceptional durability, firepower, and mobility, making it a formidable asset in combat. It has been deployed by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps in various conflicts, such as the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan. Additionally, the M1A1 Abrams tanks have been exported to several allied nations, including Australia, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
The M1A1 Abrams has a crew of four including a driver, commander, gunner, and loader. The tank is armed with a 120mm smoothbore cannon that can effectively engage enemy armor and fortifications. The tank also has a .50 caliber machine gun and two 7.62mm machine guns for close-range defense.
The M1A1 tank features advanced Chobham armor, which offers excellent protection against kinetic energy projectiles, shaped charges, and other threats. The M1A1 also has an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection system for operating in contaminated environments.
The M1A1 is powered by a gas turbine engine, allowing for high-speed movement and agility on the battlefield. Its robust suspension system and wide tracks also provide excellent cross-country mobility. it can reach a top speed of approximately 67 km/h (42 miles per hour) on roads and around 40-48 kilometers per hour (25-30 miles per hour) in cross-country terrain. The tank's operational range is approximately 426 km (265 miles) on a full fuel load.
