Abrams on the Ukrainian Front: High hopes meet reality

The Ukrainian crew of the Abrams tank shared their experiences and impressions of using this machine. In a conversation with Army TV, they praised, among other things, the intuitive operation but also pointed out that the armour is weaker than some expected. We explain how these tanks are protected.

So far, 31 Abrams tanks have been delivered to Ukraine. Although initially, the M1A2 variants were considered, eventually (also at the request of the Ukrainians themselves), the older M1A1 models were sent to the front. These tanks standardly have armour made of depleted uranium panels, but tungsten inserts were used in the versions sent to Ukraine.

It is said to be the strongest, and even Zeus's hand can't pierce it. Unfortunately, that is not true, said one of the Ukrainian soldiers when asked about the durability of Abrams's armour.

On some Ukrainian Abrams, ARAT-1 armour packages from the TUSK kit have been seen, i.e., an additional layer of reactive armour designed to limit losses during enemy fire. Although these tanks are much better and more durable than most of the equipment in the Ukrainian army, they should not be seen as invincible. Particularly problematic is the protection of the turret.

So far, the Russians have destroyed five Abrams tanks. They managed to damage three more to the extent that temporarily eliminated them from participating in the war. Ukrainians, however, denied reports of a complete withdrawal of these tanks from the front.

The M1A1 Abrams tanks were produced from 1985 to 1992. They are more durable and better equipped than the Soviet-era tanks that the Ukrainian army relied on before the war (and to a large extent still does now). The Americans installed a 120 mm smoothbore gun, machine guns of cal: 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm, and NBC (nuclear, chemical, and biological protection) systems.

Many electronic systems are also onboard the Abrams, but despite this, Ukrainians rate them as tanks whose operation is easy to master.

– When I first saw what was inside after switching from a T-64, I thought mastering everything would take me months. But it was possible to learn everything very quickly. It can be mastered in a week – said a Ukrainian gunner operating an Abrams.