Ukrainian tank crews and maintainers are set to begin training on U.S. M1 Abrams tanks in Germany, a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) news report said this week.
The training on the American tanks in Germany is part of efforts to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities against Russia's aggression.
The Defense Department has announced the arrival of 31 M1 Abrams training tanks in Grafenwoehr, Germany, where Ukrainian crews will undergo extensive training to effectively operate the advanced tanks. The training program aims to prepare the Ukrainian personnel for their critical roles in defending the country.
"As we've discussed previously, this extensive training program for Ukrainian crews and maintainers is intended to prepare them for their critical roles ahead and effectively operating the M1 tank and defending Ukrainian people," U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in a May 15 briefing, quoted in the report.
The training will not only ready crews for operating the tanks in battle but will also train maintenance personnel to keep the equipment operational, the report said.
"You've heard us talk about the fact that the M1 is a complex machine that requires a lot of maintenance to sustain it and keep it operating," Ryder said. "So that will be crucial, which is why we're doing the training in stride with the actual refurbishment of the tanks."
In addition to the training, the U.S. has supported Ukraine in various ways to enhance its defense readiness. Approximately 500 Ukrainian soldiers are currently undergoing combined arms training in Germany, covering marksmanship, medical aid and basic soldiering tasks. More than 10,700 Ukrainian soldiers have completed training and returned to the front lines, including specialized platform training and staff training. The U.S. has also provided crucial weapons packages, with the latest $1.2 billion package focusing on bolstering Ukraine's air defense and artillery needs, including artillery rounds and air defense systems.
