The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in a major escalation of U.S. efforts to help Kyiv in its war against Russia.
President Biden is expected to announce the decision Wednesday afternoon, according to senior White House officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The tanks will be purchased with funds from the congressionally approved Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, rather than being pulled out of the U.S. arsenal. The security assistance package provides long-range funding for weapons and equipment to be purchased to help Ukraine defend itself.
White House officials said they settled on 31 Abrams tanks because it is the equivalent of one Ukrainian tank battalion.