Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: At least two soldiers killed by anti-tank missile fired at Israeli army forces in the Gaza Strip
Local Syrian sources: Mortar shells fell on more than nine villages in the Sweida countryside
Local Syrian sources: Dozens of dead and wounded have arrived at Sweida hospitals as a result of ongoing clashes at several locations in the western Sweida countryside
Local sources: Civilians, including children and women, were injured in the al-Maqous neighborhood of Sweida, in Syria, as a result of ongoing clashes
Israeli media outlet: Security incident reported in the Gaza Strip
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation

Ukrainian soldiers complete M1 Abrams training in Germany: Politico

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 1 Sep 2023 16:07
4 Min Read

A couple of hundred Ukrainian soldiers completing their training on US M1 Abrams tanks and await their deployment on the frontline against Russia.

  • x
  • Ukrainian soldiers complete M1 Abrams training in Germany.
    US Army Abrams tanks of the 2nd Brigade 69th Regiment 2nd Battalion pictured at Mockava railway station in Lithuania, on September 5, 2020. (AFP)

Ukrainian operators have completed their training program on US M1 Abrams tanks, Politico reported on Thursday.

Kiev hopes that the US tanks could act as a potential asset to bolster its forces and overcome Russia's fortified defenses.

Approximately 200 Ukrainian soldiers have undergone training at US Army facilities located in Germany, a US Army spokesperson, Colonel Martin O'Donnell, told Politico. The training culminated in a combined arms battalion-level force-on-force exercise conducted at Hohenfels Training Area.

In preparation for the eventual deployment of these tanks into the frontline, Ukrainian soldiers continue to prepare at the Grafenwoehr Army base in Germany, as explained by O'Donnell.

In mid-September, Ukraine is set to receive the first batch of ten out of a total of 31 promised Abrams tanks, Politico said, citing unnamed US Defense Department sources. Western officials anticipate that the arrival of these tanks will provide Ukrainian forces with a potential edge as they continue their counteroffensive against Russia's formidable defenses.

The Defense Department has confirmed that ten M1 Abrams tanks are currently in Germany, where they are undergoing final refurbishments, to be later transported to Ukraine.

Colonel O'Donnell stated, "The U.S. is committed to expedite delivery of the 31 tanks to Ukraine by the fall," as he refrained from providing a specific timeline.

US officials are hopeful that the arrival of the Abrams tanks will provide Ukraine with a strategic advantage; however, similar sentiments were expressed when Ukraine received deliveries of the German upgraded Leopard 2 models, which did not meet Western expectations on the battleground.

An unnamed Defense Department official, while acknowledging the potency of the Abrams tanks, noted that they are not a panacea, as he claimed that Ukrainian determination will be the deciding factor in regard to the success of its counteroffensive.

Related News

Supreme Court clears fast-track deportations to random third countries

China-US trade falls 10.4% in H1-2025 to $289.36 billion

It is important to note that the Abrams tanks are part of a larger force consisting of approximately 300 tanks pledged by Western allies. This includes Leopard 2 tanks from Spain and Germany, Challenger tanks from the UK, and light Leclerc tanks from France.

Read more: US downgrades Abrams tanks sent to Ukraine for fear of being captured

US-led NATO expands Ukraine war

Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that a new military package worth $250 million comprised of AIM-9X Block II missiles, Javelin man-portable missiles, 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) missiles, and three million small caliber rounds.

Blinken said the package "includes AIM-9M missiles for air defense, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, mine-clearing equipment, Javelin, and other anti-armor systems and rockets, over 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition, ambulances, demolition munitions for obstacle clearing, as well as spare parts, services, training, and transportation."

Moreover, the US Defense Department revealed that the new package will further encompass TOW anti-tank and Hydra-70 air-to-ground missiles.

According to the Defense Department, "The capabilities in this package, valued at up to $250 million, include… tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missiles... and Hydra-70 rockets."

Meanwhile, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said the United States is confident in its ability to provide assistance to Ukraine through the end of the fiscal year.

"We’re confident that we will have enough money to meet Ukraine’s need through the fiscal year," Singh said during a press briefing.

However, the Pentagon hoped that Congress would pass a supplemental funding request for further Ukraine aid, Singh added.

Read more: US pledges Ukraine $250mln worth of military package of munitions

  • United States
  • Ukraine counteroffensive
  • M1 Abrams
  • Germany
  • Abrams Tanks
  • Kiev
  • Ukraine

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS