US speeds up Abrams deliveries to Ukraine by switching to M1A1s
The M1A1 Abrams for Ukraine will use excess hulls in the US DoD's inventory. (Photo: US DoD)
The US will deliver Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) to Ukraine faster than initially planned by switching from providing M1A2s to refurbished M1A1s.
The plan announced by the DoD will see US tanks delivered to Ukraine this autumn rather than early 2024, as was mulled under original proposals.
Pentagon press secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder said: 'Since we've made this announcement, we've been committed to exploring options to deliver the armoured capability as quickly as possible.'
The DoD decided to provide M1A1 variants of the Abrams to 'significantly expedite delivery timelines'.
Related Articles
US Abrams tanks will take 'months' to arrive in Ukraine
No plans for UK to send more tanks to Ukraine, despite reports of doubling contribution
Canada pledges more munitions for Ukraine, ships extra Leopard tanks
Similarly to M1A2, the M1A1 features a 120mm M256 smoothbore main gun and a 50-calibre heavy machine gun.
The DoD announced it would supply 31 M1A2 Abrams to Ukraine in January, following the UK's announcement that it would donate Challenger 2 MBTs to Kyiv.
Ryder said the Abrams for Ukraine would be excess hulls drawn from existing US inventories and refurbished and refitted to create the M1A1s.
The US is also working on training Ukrainians to use the tanks, with Ryder saying more details on this would be provided in future.
Ukrainian crews are already learning how to operate the British Challenger 2s and Leopard 2 MBTs donated by European partners.
On 20 March, the US also announced further support for Ukraine, including more High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) ammunition, anti-radiation missiles and AT4 anti-armour systems.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract]()
DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.
-
![Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows]()
Patria completes test firing of new self-propelled gun as demand for systems grows
Patria quotes a maximum rate of fire of eight rounds a minute from the new ARVE (ARtillery on VEhicle) self-propelled gun with a range of 40km for an assisted round. The rapid, low-risk development is designed to meet emerging requirements which have arisen out of the Ukraine war.
-
![US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers]()
US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers
The termination of programmes such as JLTV and RCV has been harshly criticised by members of the US Congress.
-
![The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army]()
The power of partnership: GDMS–UK deepens cooperation with the British Army
In Conversation: Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to General Dynamics Mission Systems–United Kingdom’s Chris Burrows about how the company's UK TacCIS business is reshaping battlefield communications through sustained customer engagement, accelerated innovation and ecosystem collaboration.
-
![Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million]()
Sweden to purchase IRIS-T air defence systems for $930 million
This recent purchase of the medium-range air defence system adds to the country’s ongoing efforts to ramp up its overall defence readiness and capabilities.
