As Ukraine is reportedly preparing for a spring offensive against the Russian invasion forces, the U.S. has decided to speed up delivery of 31 Abrams M1A1 tanks and Patriot air defense missile systems to Ukraine. However, the tanks won't be arriving until the fall. Up until now, the U.S. has argued against a more rapid deployment of the tanks and anti-missile Patriots, citing training and logistical hurdles. Earlier Pentagon officials have said training on the Abrams tanks (the newer A2 model) takes months and that Abrams ran on "jet fuel," omitting the fact that they also can run on diesel. Similarly, the operation of the Patriot system was said too sophisticated for the Ukrainian forces to grasp in under a year, a notion dispelled belatedly by the Pentagon:
“Our assessment is that the Ukrainian soldiers are impressive, and absolutely a quick study,” said Brig. Gen. Shane Morgan, the Fort Sill commander. “Due to their extensive air defense knowledge and experience in a combat zone, it was easier – though never easy – for them to grasp the Patriot System Operations and Maintenance concepts.”
Ukrainian soldiers have been training since mid-January at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, on the Patriot system and have proven themselves, unsurprisingly, to be fast learners with their nation's existence in peril. We should have had far more justifiable confidence in their abilities and acted on it. If only we and our NATO allies (except for the courageous Poles) could have summoned the same sense of urgency a year ago.
