...if the U.S. sends the Ukes any Abrams tanks, it will be necessary to send U.S. troops to train the Ukes and teach them how to maintain these somewhat complicated beasts...there will be American casualties, I fear...
Abrams won’t show up for a long time. They could be shipped over, but they cannot be supported (by anyone). The US needs to build a logistical supply chain for these things. That will take serious time and we won’t put the Abrams in the field without it. So this is (to some extent) political signalling that helps justify Germany in freeing the Leopards. Their tanks will be on the field soon. Ours will not.
“...there will be American casualties, I fear...”
This has been discussed at length. My understanding is that if there are westerners in Ukraine, they will be contractors and not US military. Trust me on this, these contractors will be making many times their normal salary. Also, they will likely be well behind the lines. If I had the correct skills and fewer years on the clock I’d consider going.
I think the difference between a Lepard and a T-72 is similar to the difference between, say, a ‘56 Studebaker and an eighties Ford race car. Everything should be sort of similar and there will be a lot of plug and play modules that will get shot-gunned during the repair process. The Ukrainians, if they have enough spare parts will do okay.
Also, is anyone sending bridge equipment and recovery vehicles? The Ukrainian bridges are rated for 45 tons and the tanks are 55 tons. And, if one gets stuck the Ukrainians likely have no way to move them.
Training can be done in Poland.
That training doesn’t have to be done in Ukraine. Could very well do it in Poland.
Poland has signed an agreement to buy 366 Abrams tanks anyway and has already had at least 7 delivered for training (maybe more by now).
They will be trained by US guys within Poland’s borders most probably.