Different version of Abrams tanks to be sent to Ukraine doesn't make them worse – Defense Express expert Riabykh

Valerii Riabykh, director of the Defense Express media and consulting company, said this on the air of Espreso TV.

“Some people are frightened by the fact that the Americans have offered the M1A1 Abrams version, but this is due to lack of knowledge of the subject. The fact that the M1A2 version is not being sent does not mean that ‘our’ tanks may be worse. When they made the statement about speeding up the delivery, they emphasized that this version was chosen to provide the Armed Forces with tanks as soon as possible,” he said.

Riabykh added that they are to work in conjunction with the previously delivered M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

“In the United States, these two versions of tanks exist in parallel, are being modernized in parallel, and the A1 designation does not mean that this is an old tank. They have been modernized, equipped with modern control, enemy detection and guidance systems, including night channels. In general, this is one of the modern versions that will become an additional trump card in the hands of the Ukrainian soldiers in the complete liberation of Ukrainian territories during a counteroffensive operation. This decision will accelerate the delivery of such a desirable tool to continue to destroy the occupying troops on our land,” the expert concluded.