Taking incremental risk now to help Ukraine win will help ensure longer-term Eurasian and NATO security.
Full Article: Gabriel B. Collins and Christopher Bronk, “The M1 Abrams Is the Right Tank for the Job in Ukraine,” Foreign Policy, 24 January 2023, https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/01/24/m1-abrams-tank-ukraine-germany-russia-invasion-leopard/
Consider the raw numbers. The U.S. military has about 3,500 M1A1/A2 tanks in storage, according to estimates from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Moreover, the United States Marine Corps divested its 450-unit Abrams fleet as part of its long-term strategic reorientation toward Pacific conflict. More than 300 of these tanks have already been transferred to the Army, and the balance that are stored overseas and on maritime prepositioning vessels are slated to be transferred this year. Used U.S. Abrams are already in regional demand, with the State Department approving a sale of 116 M1A1s to Poland in December 2022, along with 12 M88A2 combat recovery vehicles, eight M1110 Joint Assault Bridges, and other miscellaneous items—a transaction that illustrates the approximate contours of what an initial Abrams package to Ukraine might look like.
These tanks would serve U.S. national security interests far better pressed into Ukrainian military service than collecting dust at the Sierra and Anniston Army depots. They could be eligible for transfer under a presidential drawdown, an authority used 30 times thus far to support Ukraine. The U.S. could also use the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 to lend or lease surplus (or even active-duty) Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
As tanks are transferred from storage or active formations, more could be reconditioned at the Army tank plant in Lima, Ohio, over time as losses mount or new Ukrainian formations transition to the M1A1/A2. The U.S. Army also has about 1,000 M88A1 armored recovery vehicles in storage, according to IISS, which provides a ready reserve of mechanical support to accompany the Abrams into combat.
Full Article: Gabriel B. Collins and Christopher Bronk, “The M1 Abrams Is the Right Tank for the Job in Ukraine,” Foreign Policy, 24 January 2023, https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/01/24/m1-abrams-tank-ukraine-germany-russia-invasion-leopard/
Frequently asked questions
How many M1 Abrams tanks does the U.S. have in storage?
The U.S. military has about 3,500 M1A1/A2 tanks in storage, according to IISS estimates cited by Gabriel Collins and Christopher Bronk. The Army also holds about 1,000 M88A1 armored recovery vehicles in storage and is absorbing the Marine Corps’ divested 450-unit Abrams fleet, more than 300 of which had already been transferred.
How could the U.S. legally send Abrams tanks to Ukraine?
The tanks could be sent under a presidential drawdown or through the Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022. Drawdown authority had been used 30 times to support Ukraine when the article was written. The Lend-Lease Act would let Washington lend or lease surplus, or even active-duty, Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
What would an Abrams tank package for Ukraine include?
An initial package might resemble the used-Abrams sale to Poland that the State Department approved in December 2022. That deal covered 116 M1A1 tanks, 12 M88A2 combat recovery vehicles, eight M1110 Joint Assault Bridges, and other miscellaneous items, which the authors say shows the approximate contours of a Ukrainian package.
Why send stored Abrams tanks to Ukraine instead of keeping them?
The authors argue the tanks would serve U.S. national security interests far better in Ukrainian service than collecting dust at the Sierra and Anniston Army depots. Taking incremental risk now to help Ukraine win, they contend, would help ensure longer-term Eurasian and NATO security, while the Lima, Ohio plant reconditions replacements over time.
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