US Abrams tanks months, possibly years, away as Ukraine faces Russian offensive within weeks

SEND IN THE TANKS: After insisting for months that sending advanced U.S. M1A2 tanks to Ukraine was a really bad idea that would “burden” the Ukrainian army instead of bolstering it, the Biden administration appears about to execute a sudden about-face, although it’s unclear if any of the Abrams tanks will arrive in advance of an expected spring offensive by Russian forces.

Instead, the expected announcement that the United States will provide 30 of America’s premier main battle tanks appears to be part of a long-term plan to transform the Ukraine military to one using NATO weapons rather than delivering an immediate infusion of combat firepower.