According to a report by the Wall Street Journal on June 13, after weeks of discussions, the White House has agreed to supply 31 refurbished M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine equipped with a stockpile of depleted uranium shells. The decision was made after considering various factors, including the potential for increased tensions with Russia and concerns related to the environment and health.
However, a Biden administration official stated that there were no significant obstacles remaining to provide the ammunition containing depleted uranium. The Pentagon had specifically requested that the Abrams tanks supplied to Ukraine be armed with depleted uranium rounds, which are commonly used by the United States military and known for their effectiveness against Russian tanks. These high-speed projectiles have the capability to penetrate the frontal armor of Russian tanks at long distances. Indeed, the purpose of the transfer of depleted uranium shells is “to allow Ukraine to make as much progress as possible on the battlefield, to put Kyiv in a position of solid negotiation if the peace talks were finally held,” said a senior official of the Biden administration.
The purpose of transferring depleted uranium shells is to enable Ukraine to make substantial progress on the battlefield, putting Kyiv in a stronger negotiating position if peace talks were eventually held. This approach was highlighted by a senior official within the administration.
Over several weeks, a prolonged debate ensued regarding the type of ammunition to be supplied for the 31 refurbished M1A1 Abrams tanks, which Washington had agreed to provide Kyiv in January 2023. Although the tanks were scheduled to arrive in the autumn, the issue surrounding the ammunition selection continued to be a point of contention.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) defines depleted uranium as uranium with a percentage of the U235 isotope that is less than 0.711% by weight (see 10 CFR 40.4). The military specifications designate that the DU used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contains less than 0.3% U235. Actually, the DoD uses only DU which contains approximately 0.2% U235. Depleted uranium is further produced by recycling spent nuclear fuel, in which case it contains traces of neptunium and plutonium. Quantities are so small that they are considered to be not of serious radiological significance.