WASHINGTON — Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, confirmed on Thursday that the United States cannot immediately deliver the 31 M1 Abrams tanks promised to Ukraine because it does not have enough of the critical vehicles in stock.
While the White House has asserted that the Ukrainians require more advanced capabilities to prepare for a new Russian offensive expected this spring, US tanks will not roll into eastern Europe until well after the anticipated offensive has concluded.
“We just don’t have these tanks available in excess in our US stocks, which is why it is going to take months to transfer these M1A2 Abrams to Ukraine,” Singh said, referencing the specific newer version of the tank the US will send.
As part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the White House warned on Wednesday that it could take up to a year for Kyiv to receive the tanks that President Biden publicly pledged because they will be purchased with funds authorized by Congress.