US Also Provides 31 Main Battle Tanks to Ukraine... Will It Change the Course of the War?

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Following Germany, the United States also decided on the 25th (local time) to provide main battle tanks to Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia. The shift from a cautious stance to deciding to support main battle tanks is drawing attention to the potential impact on the future course of the war.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

U.S. President Joe Biden held a press conference at the White House on the same day and announced, "We will provide 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine." The 31 tanks correspond to the size of one Ukrainian tank battalion.

President Biden emphasized, "(The Abrams tank is) the best tank in the world," adding, "It will enhance Ukraine's ability to defend its territory and achieve strategic objectives." He further stated, "This is to help Ukraine defend and protect its own land," and "It is not an offensive threat against Russia. What we want is for the war to end."

The Abrams, the U.S. Army's main battle tank, is equipped with a 120mm main gun, a .50 caliber machine gun, and a 7.62mm machine gun. It features Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) and laser rangefinders, enabling combat both day and night. Powered by a 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine, it can travel at a maximum speed of 42 miles per hour (approximately 67 km/h). Experts assess that the Abrams has an advantage over the T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks primarily used by Russia.

Until now, the U.S. had been reluctant to provide Abrams tanks, citing the high cost and difficulty of managing and operating the jet-fuel-powered tanks. There were also concerns about the possibility of escalation with nuclear-armed Russia. However, as the war has prolonged for nearly a year and NATO member countries in Europe, including Germany, decided to supply numerous tanks to Ukraine, the U.S. reportedly changed its stance. Germany, which publicly decided to provide Leopard 2 tanks before the U.S., is said to have emphasized that the U.S. should also send Abrams tanks.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Before the press conference, President Biden spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and French President Emmanuel Macron. He confirmed, "We coordinated closely with NATO allies," and "discussed close cooperation and full support for Ukraine." When asked at the press conference whether Germany forced the U.S. to change its mind about tank support, Biden replied, "I was not forced to change my mind. I just wanted to make sure we were all together."

However, since the U.S. plans to procure new tanks for support, it is expected to take several months before Ukraine actually receives the tanks. The U.S. Department of Defense is also preparing plans to provide fuel and equipment necessary for managing and operating the tanks to Ukraine. Additionally, eight M88 recovery vehicles, which tow broken-down tanks, will be provided.

As Ukraine secures a significant number of battle tanks from the U.S., Germany, and other Western countries, attention is focused on whether this will change the future dynamics of the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the decisions of these countries, emphasizing that it is "an important step toward victory." President Zelensky said, "Today, the world is more united than ever for the common goal of liberating Ukraine," and "We are moving forward."

There is a flood of welcoming voices from Western countries regarding this decision. British Prime Minister Sunak, who was the first in the West to decide to send his country's Challenger 2 tanks, shared an article on Twitter about Germany's announcement to send 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, calling it "the right decision." French President Macron, who promised to provide French-made light tanks AMX-10RC to Ukraine, also welcomed Germany's decision, which will amplify the effect of supporting the AMX-10RC. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, said, "Allies are united in supporting Ukraine," and attributed significance by stating that the U.S. Abrams tanks, "along with the UK's Challenger and Germany's Leopard 2, can make a significant difference in fighting against Russia."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.