The United States will provide Ukraine's most advanced M1A2 Abrams combat vehicle, but there is currently no inventory, and the production line has been clogged with orders from Taiwan and Poland.

(AFP file photo)

[Compiled by Sun Yuqing/Comprehensive Report] Ukraine has been resisting the Russian invasion for nearly a year. Recently, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and other countries have promised to aid a variety of main tanks, which may turn the tide of the war for the Ukrainian army in one fell swoop.

However, the CNN analysis on the 27th pointed out that various preparations such as tank delivery, personnel training, ammunition and parts preparation were time-consuming, and the repair and maintenance status was more related to actual combat effectiveness. At this moment, it is difficult to rely on tanks to drive back the Russian army.

CNN pointed out that the British "Challenger 2" (Challenger 2), the American "M1 Abrams" (M1 Abrams), and the German "Leopard 2" (Leopard 2) and other main tanks will soon become powerful weapons for the Ukrainian army. But the first problem facing the Ukrainian army is the delivery time.

It is understood that even in the most optimistic scenario, the Ukrainian army will have to wait for several months to obtain the number of tanks sufficient to make a major change in the fighting situation.

Mark Hertling, a retired U.S. Army general, estimates that the Leopard 2 of the Ukrainian army will take about three months before it can be put into battle, while Abrams will have to wait more than eight months.

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Sabrina Singh, deputy press secretary of the U.S. Department of Defense, said on the 26th that the U.S. side will provide Uzbekistan with the M1A2 Abrams main tank, which is more advanced than the M1A1. Complete the handover.

Politico, a political news website, quoted three people familiar with the matter as saying that the A2 tank is only assembled at a government-owned factory in Lima, Ohio, operated by General Dynamics, which can produce 12 vehicles a month. However, the current production line has been fully occupied by 108 vehicles ordered by Taiwan and 250 vehicles ordered by Poland, and the fastest delivery date is 2024. It is not only difficult to arrange, but also controversial.

CNN continues to point out that modern main tanks are strong and solid in appearance, but the actual combat effect mainly depends on the core precision electronic instruments and computer systems. Important tasks such as repair, maintenance and replenishment of necessary parts must be handed over to tanks that have received sufficient training in advance Operators and support staff.

Blake Herzinger, a security expert at the think tank "American Enterprise Institute" (AEI), said that the most efficient combat vehicle operated and maintained by the Ukrainian army is the best tank. This option is most likely due to the low complexity of the system. , Leopard 2, which is the easiest to replenish fuel and ammunition.

Nicholas Drummond, a defense industry analyst specializing in land warfare and a former officer in the Royal Army, agrees that the German Leopard 2 tank was originally designed to be maintained by compulsory service, just like the Ukrainian military system, so The Leopard 2 will be more beneficial to the Ukrainian army than the Challenger and Abrams.

Drummond also revealed that there are currently more than 4,000 Leopard 2s in service in various countries.

In addition to Germany, Canada also announced on the 26th that it will assist Ukraine with four Leopard 2 vehicles and will send experts to assist in the training of Ukrainian military personnel.

Drew Thompson, a senior visiting researcher at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, further explained that the logistics supply chain of the Abrams tank extends to the United States. Once the main parts are worn out, they must be replaced by American-made parts. The risks are too high.”

Moreover, if the US-made tank is destroyed on Ukrainian soil, it may also be used by Russia to fight a propaganda war.

He believes that the ability to support the Leopard 2 from European logistics bases is a more urgent need.