Ukrainian troops start US Abrams tanks training in Germany

Ukraine's forces started their US Abrams tank training in Germany, Pentagon says.

The first group that began training at the German training grounds in Grafenwehr and Hohenfels includes 400 servicemen of Ukrainian forces. They will learn to drive and maintain American M1 Abrams tanks.

The NYT states that 200 troops — roughly one armored battalion — began joint military training on Friday, May 26.

This program includes basic soldiering skills such as marksmanship and the ability to manage medical aid, as well as platoon and company-level training.

Later, they will face larger exercises involving battalion-level units facing off against each other.

Another 200 Ukrainian troops have begun training to refuel and maintain American tanks, Pentagon's spox explained.

The training is expected to last 10-12 weeks. Previously, the Pentagon explained that the structure of the course is similar to the one used to train Ukrainians on Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles. The Armed Forces received these vehicles at the beginning of 2023.

On May 15, the US Ministry of Defense confirmed the arrival of 31 Abrams tanks in Germany for the training of Ukrainian crews.

The US allocated Abrams tanks for Ukraine as part of the tank coalition. Initially, the Pentagon announced that it was going to order new tanks for Ukrainian forces. The Pentagon's spox, General Pat Ryder, said that sending already repaired hulls equipped with modern weapons systems will allow the equipment to get to Ukraine's battlefield faster.