During an exchange with an Associated Press correspondent, two high-ranking US military officers disclosed that Ukraine has temporarily “pulled back on the use of Abrams tanks.” They explained that the American-backed combat units had suspended their participation in hostilities and were now stationed away from the front lines. This shift in strategy is primarily due to the surveillance prowess and destructive capacity of Russian reconnaissance and ‘kamikaze’ drones.
In the background details provided by BulgarianMilitary.com, it is worthwhile to note that Washington ratified an agreement in early 2023 to ship M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Ukrainian armed forces. As the year 2023 trailed into the onset of 2024, it was confirmed that these stout war machines were effectively in Ukrainian hands. However, within just a few weeks of their deployment in the late winter and early spring, five Abrams tanks fell prey to the Russian army’s onslaught. Some Russian sources have claimed the destruction of a sixth tank, but the evidence to substantiate this claim is yet to be presented.
Let’s put things into perspective. The Abrams carries a hefty price tag of around $10 million each, while Russian ‘kamikaze’ drones range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars, and in some cases, even surpass $100,000. As BulgarianMilitary.com speculated back in 2023, Western (and Russian) tanks struggle to evade detection because they are easily spotted by reconnaissance drones. Once a tank is in sight, it becomes easy pickings for these combat drones—like the Russian Lancet, for example. Given the terrain and conditions in Ukraine, it seems the Abrams is strategically unsuitable for the current warfare.
There is no open terrain
The integration of a so-called ‘cage cope’ on the turrets of Western tanks, an initiative championed by the armed forces of Ukraine, unfortunately, doesn’t ensure foolproof protection. We’re living in a new age of warfare, where drones are flipping the tables and exposing the vulnerability of both Russian and Western tanks. It doesn’t matter whether you’re dealing with a T-90 or an Abrams, these kamikaze drones can wreak significant damage on armored vehicles.
I’d like to remind you of something we first reported back in 2023 on BulgarianMilitary.com. The American Abrams tanks aren’t reaching Ukraine with their original armor intact. The secrets behind their construction and materials are closely guarded by the U.S. government. While we don’t yet know how well the original armor on U.S. Army tanks holds up against a kamikaze drone attack, we can predict that the de-armored Abrams entering Ukraine may struggle even more.
With drones increasingly dotting the Ukrainian battlefield, it’s becoming clear that there’s no place truly safe for armored vehicles. As a senior defense official starkly put in a discussion last Thursday, “There is no open terrain where you can just drive through without fear of detection.” The anonymous official offered insight into the status of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, on the eve of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meetup. Both Admiral Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and another defense official, who requested anonymity, confirmed the relocation of tanks away from the front lines. They assured that the U.S. will reassess tactics in collaboration with the Ukrainians.
M1A1 in Ukraine
Back in 2023, the U.S.’s decision to donate 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine signaled a potential shift in power dynamics. However, similar to the current situation with the F-16 fighter jets, experts had previously warned that the Abrams might not tip the balance in favor of the Ukrainian military. Russian President Vladimir Putin echoed these sentiments plainly, stating that Western tanks are just as destructible as Russian ones.
The inaugural Ukrainian tank battalion underwent training on the Abrams in Germany in 2023. As Ukraine’s eagerly anticipated counteroffensive continued to falter throughout the spring, the need to move from the training ground in Germany to the actual battleground with the Abrams became a predictable strategy for breaking through the tough Russian defensive lines.
As a fallout from the intense combat that raged for months in Avdiivka, a city located in eastern Ukraine, Russian assaults led to the loss of numerous tanks on the part of Ukraine. This information was disclosed by a top-ranking official. One of the factors exacerbating this situation was a significant delay by Congress in authorizing the fresh funding earmarked for Ukraine. This setback forced the Ukrainian military to ration its ammunition supplies. The situation became so dire that they could only manage to counter-attack once for every five or more assaults launched by the Russian forces.
About US-made tank
In the following analysis, we’ll delve into the specifics of the M1A1 Abrams, a tank valued at an estimated $10 million. The heavyweight M1A1 Abrams, renowned worldwide, is a main battle tank commissioned by the United States. It was introduced in the 1980s as an improved version of the original M1 Abrams. The M1A1 distinguished itself through its superior armor, firepower, and agility features.
As you’d expect, the M1A1 Abrams is indeed sizeable, fitting its role as a main battle tank. Its approximate dimensions are 32 feet in length, 12 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. This mammoth machinery carries an impressive weight of around 62 metric tons or equivalent to 68 short tons.
Equipped as its primary weapon, the M1A1 Abrams boasts a formidable 120mm M256 smoothbore gun. This powerful armament can fire an expansive range of rounds, covering everything from high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) to sabot rounds. Complementing this primary firepower, the tank features a .50 caliber M2HB heavy machine gun and a pair of 7.62mm M240 machine guns for secondary defense.
One of the major strengths of the Abrams lies in its extraordinary operational range. The tank’s gas turbine engine allows it to cover approximately 265 miles on-road on a full tank of fuel. Keep in mind, however, that the actual distance may significantly decrease in off-road conditions, depending on the terrain.
‘Charge range’ in tank terminology refers to the maximum distance that the main gun can cover. The main 120mm gun of the M1A1 Abrams is capable of engaging targets as far as 2,000 meters away, making it a formidable force. With the support of advanced munitions and fire control systems, the Abrams can effectively target and engage adversaries from even longer distances.
Challenger 2, too
Interestingly, the British Challenger 2 tank, now in Ukraine’s possession, mirrors the Abrams in many respects. This specific tank has remained unseen on the battlefield longer than its American counterpart, possibly because the first Russian unit was taken out.
BulgarianMilitary.com previously reported that the proposal to supply Ukraine with the Challenger 2 was met with a stipulation from British sources. They insisted that a discussion between the Ukrainian and British Ministry of Defense would ensue if the tank underperformed, focusing on potentially removing them from the frontline.
As it stands, neither Ukraine nor Britain has made any official comment on the matter. However, it’s noticeable that the Challenger 2 has disappeared from the battlefield, much like the American Abrams. The most logical explanation for this is the tank’s withdrawal, as discussions likely focus on determining a new, optimized role for it in the conflict, adjusted to the current volatile situation on the frontline.
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