US officially approves shipment of first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine

The United States approved the shipment of the first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine, they will arrive by early fall.

“They [tanks] are done. Now they have to get to Europe, and then to Ukraine, along with all of the things that go with them. Ammunition, spare parts, fuel equipment, repair facilities. So you know, it's not just the tanks, it's the full package that goes with it. That's still on track,” U.S. Army Acquisition Chief Doug Bush told reporters on Monday, CNN reports.

The US began training the Ukrainians on the tanks in May in Germany. The 31 tanks destined for Ukraine had been undergoing refurbishment and preparation for shipment for several months.

As reported, the Pentagon announced in April that it planned to hand over M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine by the end of the year.