The United States expects to begin delivering Abrams tanks to Ukraine in September, 2023.

Politico reported on this with reference to its own sources.

The first batch of Abrams tanks will include 6 to 8 tanks.

The U.S plans to send several Abrams to Germany in August, where the tanks will undergo final refurbishments. Once that process is complete, the first batch of American tanks will be shipped to Ukraine.

“We’re definitely working to get them to Ukraine as fast as we can,” said Pentagon spokesperson Col. Martin O’Donnell, declining to discuss specifics on the timeline.

Before Ukrainian forces can begin operating the tanks, they have to wrap up a roughly 10-week course on trainer tanks, which is currently underway in Germany. According to a DOD official, the Ukrainians are slated to finish that training in August.

According to the medua’s sources, 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 after their participation in hostilities with the Russian invaders.

Instead of Abrams M1A2 promised in January of this year, the Defense Forces of Ukraine will receive M1A1 tanks, but faster.

Initially, it was 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 Now, they will be withdrawn from the reserves of the U.S. Armed Forces. Tanks will be refurbished and refitted before shipping.

At the end of May, the first group of Ukrainian servicemen in Germany began training on American M1 Abrams tanks. The training program includes not only the instruction of crews to operate tanks but also the exercise for maintenance personnel of these combat vehicles.

The United States will also supply depleted-uranium tank rounds for Abrams tanks to Ukraine. These shells are standard for American tanks.