U.S. lawmakers come out in favor of supplying tanks to Ukraine – Reuters

Several key US lawmakers have called for the next major step in US aid to Ukraine, calling on the White House to implement a plan that would provide Kyiv with “M1 Abrams” tanks to counter Russian aggression. “media” ​​reports on this.
“Rarely in the history of modern warfare has there been so much reliance on so few tanks,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters. “Three hundred tanks, handed over to the Ukrainians, capable of using any weapon and getting maximum benefit from it.”
Ukraine has repeatedly asked Western countries to provide it with tanks so that it can defend itself against Russia.
Last week, at a meeting of NATO officials, Germany announced that it would consider the possibility of supplying Leopard 2s, which are considered the most modern tanks, if the United States supplied the M1 Abrams tank.
German publication Der Spiegel and others wrote on Tuesday, citing unconfirmed reports, that the German government had decided to deploy the Leopard 2 tank.
On Tuesday, the representative of the United States confirmed to “media” ​​that the United States was preparing to announce the delivery of American-made M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
“If the press is reporting, I’m very happy that Badia’s administration has decided to send the Abrams tank to push Russia out of Ukrainian territory,” Graham said.
“The Ukrainians can win if they have the necessary tools, starting with tanks,” said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who was part of the delegation that met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine. – Tanks “Leopard 2″ are of great importance, because they are in Europe, there are thousands of them, they are easy to transport, refuel and train to work with them. It is of vital importance. And, frankly, if we have to send three, five, ten Abrams tanks there, let’s do it.”
Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell warned on Tuesday that inaction in the West could have catastrophic consequences.
“Time is running out, and as Berlin seriously considers whether or not to supply the Leopard to Ukraine, it is necessary to make it clear and active that other allies can do so,” McConnell said.
“The latest deliveries to the Biden administration include long-range missiles and more sophisticated munitions, which Ukraine has been asking for months,” McConnell continued. – Mr President, Ukraine’s courageous resistance deserves our constant praise. But it is all the more important that it needs our concrete and coherent material support.
Meanwhile…
The United States plans to increase the production of artillery shells six-fold, a significant part of which is intended for delivery to Ukraine.
The newspaper The New York Times reports on this subject with reference to the report of the command of the American ground forces.
According to his testimony, before the Russian invasion of Ukraine , American military factories produced 14,400 artillery shells per month.
The Pentagon plans to increase production to 90,000 shells per month within two years. Corresponding contracts with private companies have already been concluded.
How many shells were produced in the United States during the Korean War.
According to the newspaper, these are 155 mm unguided shells for long-range howitzers.
Now they are produced in six state factories by private companies under contract with the Pentagon.
According to the New York Times, the equipment of these factories is obsolete, some premises were used for the production of shells during the Second World War.
In November, the Pentagon entered into a contract with General Dynamics to build a new casing production line at a factory in Texas.
It is expected that virtually all products from these factories will be sent to Ukraine.
As The New York Times points out, the decision to sharply increase shell production indicates that the United States is ready to support Ukraine during the protracted war with Russia.