The Ukrainian army has begun training in the operation and upkeep of American M1 Abrams tanks in Germany, a move that aligns with a U.S. defense department briefing. A major U.S. newspaper reported this development as part of ongoing support for Ukraine. [source: major U.S. newspaper]
Initial training groups include roughly 400 Ukrainian servicemen who are learning how to drive, fire, and maintain the Abrams tanks. The training aims to cover the full lifecycle of the vehicles, from day-to-day operation to performance checks under field conditions. This information comes from the cited briefing summarized by the same publication. [source: major U.S. newspaper]
On May 26, about 200 soldiers participated in a combined weapons briefing at Grafenwöhr and Hohenfels to gain a comprehensive overview of the Abrams system and its integration with allied equipment. An additional 200 servicemen proceeded with training focused on fuel logistics and routine maintenance tasks essential to keeping tanks mission-ready. [source: major U.S. newspaper]
Officials have stated that 31 Abrams tanks transported from the United States to Germany will be dedicated solely to training Ukrainian forces, ensuring they are not deployed in combat operations during this phase. The emphasis is on building proficiency, safety procedures, and maintenance discipline to maximize effectiveness once these tanks enter broader service. [source: major U.S. newspaper]
There has been a public commitment by U.S. authorities to accelerate the delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, with intentions to hand over the equipment in the early autumn period of the year. The training and equipment flow reflect a broader strategy to bolster Ukrainian capacity while maintaining clear distinctions between training missions and combat duties. [source: major U.S. newspaper]