US sends first Abrams tanks to Europe for Ukrainian military training: Austin

'We are doing everything possible to accelerate the delivery of these tanks and early fall is a projection,' says US defense chief

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced on Tuesday that the United States has deployed its first Abrams tanks to Europe to support Ukrainian military training.

He made the remarks during a testimony before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on the 2024 defense budget, along with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair General Mark Milley.

"We are doing everything possible to accelerate the delivery of these tanks and early fall is a projection. In the meantime, we have moved a number of tanks over into theater so that the Ukrainians can begin training on this capability," said Austin.

"By the time they complete that training, the tanks will be available for them to use," Austin said.

"We're moving as fast as possible to get the capability in the hands of the Ukrainians. we'll certainly have that available by early fall," he added.

In January, President Joe Biden announced that the United States will provide Ukraine with 31 M1 Abrams tanks in its fight against Moscow.

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