Posted on 01/24/2023 7:32:40 AM PST by SpeedyInTexas
Deliveries would be part of deal to enable provision of German-built Leopards
The Biden administration is leaning toward sending a significant number of Abrams M1 tanks to Ukraine and an announcement of the deliveries could come this week, U.S. officials said.
The announcement would be part of a broader diplomatic understanding with Germany in which Berlin would agree to send a smaller number of its own Leopard 2 tanks and would also approve the delivery of more of the German-made tanks by Poland and other nations. It would settle a trans-Atlantic disagreement over the tanks that had threatened to open fissures as the war drags into the end of its first year.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Washington could thus soon be faced with some dangerous choices. Should it commit US forces or US air power to Ukraine? If it did so, how quickly would the war spread in Europe?
Would NATO, always far more boisterous than can be justified by reality, support sending NATO forces to Ukraine? Or would NATO’s knees finally buckle?
The alternative – and more likely – scenario is that Washington will push for a peace settlement, something it has strictly opposed in the past. Will Russia be willing to sit down and discuss a deal? Of course, but only if the price is right.
“Germany to Give Poland Approval This Week to Send Tanks to Ukraine”
“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to give Poland approval as soon as Wednesday to re-export its German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.
Berlin wants to make a decision on the issue quickly to quell growing frustration among allies, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the decision is private.
Poland formally requested the authorization earlier Tuesday and the German government said it would respond with the necessary urgency. German law requires approval for the re-export of its military equipment, meaning the hundreds of Leopard tanks in Europe can only be sent to Ukraine with Berlin’s consent. “
And Biden’s boss Xi rejoices.
At this point a negotiated stop to the war seems best. This is a war of attrition, and the euros are being passive.
What's the equivalent to Ebay for mil. eq?
All arrives just in time to be set up for the Spring offensive into the Crimea.
This is an idiotic idea from square one, and cannot possibly work. The only conceivable purpose for this is to put the Ukrainians in the position of having to ask for our help to operate these tanks, and thus drag us into their pointless war.
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Yep even the Saudis could use them to good effect. So its pointless to give them to the UA, even if any of the factors you mention were actually true.
Wrong - jet fuel is the best fuel but it can use any fuel. Parts delivered from US German and other stock piles in 3-4 hours.
UA is installing portable 100 ton bridges every where.
M1’s aren’t being produced anymore
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Humm not being produced anymore ... then where are all the SepV3s coming from? Mars? There are thousands of M1s in storage, you know, right?
Look, I've spent many years intimately involved with the Abrahms.
And many more involved in weapon systems logistics and maintenance - the M1 (and variants) is still the best MBT on the planet, but it's not something you just hand over to someone and say "here, have at it".
And that we are getting dragged ever deeper into the Ukraine quagmire is sheer madness. It's way past time to cut ties with that corrupt regime/Biden money-laundering operation.
There are TOTALLY no Americans on the ground in the Ukraine.
Well, except for the ones running all the high-tech weaponry we gave them.
And there are no dead US Navy Seals, either. Well, except for the "deserters"...
This interesting. I have always looked upon Germany as the dominant power in Europe. Historically they have sought to rule and control. It’s in their DNA. I can foresee a German Europe somewhere on the horizon. Other than being defeated in a war, I can’t see them being subservient to anyone.
I believe you are assuming that the plan would be to replace any inventory donated to the Uks. I wouldn’t rule it out but I wouldn’t count on it with the scoundrels in charge nowadays: on the one hand, defense contractors love the idea; on the other hand, Dems would be salivating over the chance to further weaken America.
“At first glance I saw Abrams and thought we were sending Stacey Abrams over there.”
We should threaten. Russia would surrender.
Jet fuel, a turbine engine, and a highly complex set of systems and subsystems. What could possibly go wrong?
Turbine engines require less maintenance than a piston engine. One moving part....
I’m surprised they haven’t already.
Correct. However, it is a different beast to maintain and repair than a piston engine.
“Oh, they’ll just set up a big supply and maintenance depot just across the border in Poland and then everything will be cool.”
See?
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