Image source: topwar.ru
The Pentagon has signed a contract with the military-industrial corporation General Dynamics Land Systems (GLDS) in the amount of over $ 27 million (more than 2 billion rubles) for the production of M1A1 Abrams tanks for their subsequent shipment to Ukraine. This information was confirmed by the press service of the country's defense ministry.
The amount of the contract raised questions from experts. The price of the tank of this version in the USA reaches 4.5 million dollars. It turns out that for Ukraine, the company intends to build no more than 6 such tanks at the plant. American experts, assessing the amount of the contract, note that the contract itself in this case is more symbolic.
As noted in the document, as part of its contractual obligations, work on the production of these armored vehicles will be carried out by GLDS in Lima (Ohio). They are expected to be completed no earlier than September 29, 2023. As for the financial resources for the implementation of this project, they will be covered by the fund known as the Security Assistance Initiative of Ukraine. It provides for the conclusion of the US Department of Defense of relevant contracts with contractors, and not the supply of one or another military equipment from fixed assets stored in the Pentagon reserve.
It is also worth noting that the other day the US military department announced its upcoming plans to train Ukrainian servicemen to use Abrams in combat. Last month, the ministry issued a statement that Kiev will receive another 31 units of such equipment from the ministry's reserves by the autumn. Nevertheless, Washington acknowledged that there are certain difficulties associated with their delivery, provision of fuel, technical support, as well as carrying out all necessary repairs. Moreover, they pointed out the fact that training Ukrainian fighters to control these tanks is a long process.
Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces, Admiral Christopher Grady, negatively assessed the possible transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine, considering it impractical and quite costly. The US military proposed instead to use these 40 billion dollars (about 3.1 trillion rubles) for the purchase of 155-mm shells and GMLRS guided missiles.
Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin also announced the idea of refusing to supply F-16s, who holds the opinion that 4th-generation fighters will not help Kiev at all at this stage of the conflict, since, according to him, the Ukrainian army now urgently needs air defense systems.
