After Ukraine Scores U.S. Tanks, Kyiv Plans Push For Modern Fighter Jets

Ukraine The intention is to press the United States for fourth-generation fighter jets after President Joe Biden agreed to send dozens of top U.S. battle tanks to aid Kyiv’s war against Russia.

The White House announced Wednesday that it would send 31 M1 Abrams combat tanks to Ukraine. This was a major change after officials claimed the tanks were too complicated for the inexperienced Ukraine military. Biden described the tanks as a symbol of freedom and democracy. “unflagging commitment” to Ukraine’s cause.

“These tanks are further evidence of our enduring, unflagging commitment to Ukraine and our confidence in the skill of the Ukrainian forces,” Biden said. “As I told President Zelensky when he was here — and today is his birthday, by the way — in December: We’re with you for as long as it takes, Mr. President.”

The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative fund, which Congress approved to assist Ukraine, will pay for the tanks. Using the fund will delay Ukraine’s reception of the tanks by months, according to POLITICO.

The Pentagon will acquire the tanks, along with support vehicles and supplies, to be given to the Ukrainians for their maintenance. While the aid is being shipped and prepared, the U.S. military will be trained on how to maintain and use the tanks.

“The Abrams tanks are the most capable tanks in the world. They are also extremely complex to operate and maintain,” Biden said. “So we’re also giving Ukraine the parts and equipment necessary to effectively sustain these tanks on the battlefield. We’ll begin to train Ukrainian troops on these issues of sustainment, logistics and maintenance as soon as possible.”

Biden’s announcement seems to have encouraged Ukraine to put in larger requests to the White House. Ukraine’s military leaders now have their eyes on fourth-generation fighter jets from the United States, such as F-16s. Due to the potential for an escalated conflict between Moscow and Kyiv, the United States previously refused such requests.

“The next big hurdle will now be the fighter jets,” Yuriy Sak was an advisor to Oleksiy Reznikov the Ukrainian Defence Minister. Reuters Wednesday.

“If we get them, the advantages on the battlefield will be just immense,” Sak. “It’s not just F-16s: fourth generation aircraft, this is what we want.”

After Germany’s pressure, the Biden administration agreed with Kyiv to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine. However, it insisted that it would keep its Leopard 2 tanks. The U.S. preferred sending Leopard 2s to Ukraine over Abrams, as the Leopard 2s are easier for Ukrainians to manage and maintain.

Biden also requested Israel to provide Ukraine Hawk anti-aircraft weapons that Israel acquired from the United States during the 1960s. According to Israel, the request was denied. Axios.