A large US aid package for Ukraine will include additional artillery, ammunition and missiles for HIMARS, as well as Stryker armored fighting vehicles. However, the US is not expected to make a decision about US tanks.
The U.S. is preparing to announce a major new arms package for Ukraine on January 20, when top military leaders from around the world will gather in Germany to discuss how to help Kyiv fight, the outlet said, citing a statement by three US officials and another person familiar with it with Russia.
One US official stated that at present, the Biden administration has no plans to send the US Army’s 70-ton Abrams main battle tank due to complexity maintenance, and not out of concern that their transfer could escalate the conflict. The official also noted that the US helped Ukraine get Soviet-era tanks and supported the UK’s decision to send about a dozen of its Challenger 2 tanks.
Two more people said the package would likely include several eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicles. Strykermanufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, as well as missiles GLSDB for HIMARS systems that have a range of approximately 100 miles (160 km).
However, according to them, this package will not include the army’s long-range tactical missile system that can reach Moscow. They reported that the Biden administration refused to send long-range munitions despite requests from Kyiv for fear of provoking Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
