US to send armour-piercing shells with depleted uranium cores for M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine for the first time

This year, the Ukrainian Armed Forces received British depleted uranium shells for Challenger 2 tanks. In the near future, the USA will transfer the same ammunition.

Here's What We Know

Ukrainian tankers are being trained on M1A2 Abrams, and soon the first of the legendary American tanks will be delivered to Ukraine. The Biden administration will send armour-piercing ammunition containing depleted uranium to Ukraine for the first time.

This is reported by the news agency Reuters. Journalists managed to get acquainted with the relevant document. Two US officials confirmed the information about the plans to transfer ammunition to Ukraine.

This will happen in the coming weeks. The cost of the upcoming military aid package will range from $240 million to $375 million, depending on the set of weapons. The contents have not yet been disclosed by the White House.

Tank shells containing depleted uranium emerged in the mid-20th century. The reason was a shortage of dense tungsten. The depleted uranium core increases armour-piercing effect due to increased specific gravity. It has a density of 19,050 ^kg/m3, 67 per cent more than lead.

Source: Reuters