The celebration of US President Donald Trump's birthday and the 250th anniversary of the US Army will include up to 25 tanks that will roll through Washington, and will cost from USD 25 to USD 45 million.
This was reported by Reuters with reference to US officials.
Thus, the US Army has long planned to transfer troops and equipment to the National Mall in Washington on June 14 as part of its anniversary celebration. Now the plans include a parade, as this day coincides with Trump's 79th birthday.
Two US officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity that the final cost could be up to USD 45 million. One of them said that this amount includes several million dollars more than it would have been without the parade.
The official added that the army plans to send about two dozen M1 Abrams tanks to the celebration.
The latest estimates by officials do not include costs that the city of Washington would have to bear, such as cleaning up trash or repairing roads damaged by heavy tanks.
Military parades are rare in the United States. Other countries usually hold them to celebrate victories in battle or to demonstrate military power.
In 1991, tanks and thousands of soldiers paraded through Washington to celebrate the expulsion of President Saddam Hussein's Iraqi forces from Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.
As a reminder, the AP has learned that detailed plans by the army for a possible military parade for US President Donald Trump's birthday in June involve the involvement of more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and, possibly, several thousand civilians.
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