- Category
- Latest news
Ukraine Preserves Damaged Abrams Tank and F-16 Jet as Historic Museum Exhibits
- Authors
![Photo of Roman Kohanets]( "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
The National Defense University of Ukraine in Kyiv has added two of the most recognizable symbols of Western military support—the American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon and the M1 Abrams main battle tank—to its War Museum collection. The unveiling on September 9 underscored Ukraine’s ongoing integration of advanced Western defense technology and its significance in the full-scale war.
According to Armyinform, the displayed Abrams is an M1A1 variant that once served with Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade. The vehicle, withdrawn from active duty after sustaining damage, has now been preserved as a museum exhibit.
The F-16 aircraft on display highlights the introduction of Western fighter jets into Ukraine’s Air Force, a long-awaited development following extensive training programs abroad and deliveries scheduled for 2025.
The fuselage on display was supplied to Ukraine by the United States. All instruments and onboard equipment were removed before its transfer, making it suitable for exhibition in the museum and for use as a practical teaching aid in the training process.
“The presence of these systems in our museum reflects both history in the making and the scale of international support provided to Ukraine,” museum representatives noted during the presentation.
The museum’s exhibition presents a chronological view of weaponry supplied to Ukraine, spanning from World War II–era M4 Sherman tanks to modern infantry fighting vehicles such as the M2 Bradley, alongside the newly added F-16 and Abrams. Organizers stressed that the collection is intended not only as a historical archive but also as an educational tool for cadets and visitors.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine may host Lockheed Martin F-16 repair facilities as NATO allies (Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway) pledged to transfer F-16 jets to Ukraine beginning in 2025, with discussions ongoing on localized maintenance to build long-term aerospace self-sufficiency.
