The United States officially approved the transfer of the first batch of Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Army Acquisition Chief Doug Bush shared this with the reporters at a Monday briefing.

CNN added that the tanks will arrive in Ukraine at the beginning of autumn.

According to a Pentagon official, the first Abrams tanks are ready to be shipped to Ukraine.

“Now they have to get to Europe, and then to Ukraine, along with all of the things that go with them. Ammunition, spare parts, fuel equipment, repair facilities. So you know, it’s not just the tanks, it’s the full package that goes with it. That’s still on track,” he explained.

The US started training the Ukrainians on the tanks in Germany in May. The program is planned to be completed by the end of the summer.

Back in January of this year, the Administration of US President Joe Biden announced its intention to send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

According to the sources of the American publication Politico, six to eight Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine in the first batch. In total, the United States plans to send 31 tanks.

The U.S. is also working with European allies to establish heavy maintenance repair facilities for the tanks after their involvement in hostilities with the Russian invaders.

It was initially planned that the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative would fund the transfer and purchase of new tanks from the manufacturer. Now, they will be withdrawn from the U.S. Armed Forces reserves.

As previously reported, the United States will also supply depleted-uranium tank rounds for Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Such rounds have been used for several decades, both in the US Army and in other countries of the world.