Ukraine modifies Abrams tanks for enhanced battlefield resilience
A video has surfaced on social media showing an M1A1 Abrams tank included in the equipment of a Ukrainian brigade. Notable are the additional elements that were installed on the tank while in Ukraine. Thanks to these modifications, the American machine is better equipped to endure tough encounters with Russian forces.
So far, Ukraine has received 31 Abrams tanks, all shipped to the front from the United States. Initially, M1A2 variants were considered, but ultimately, older M1A1 variants were handed over to Ukrainian soldiers. Although these tanks far surpass the Soviet-era machines that Ukraine relied on before the war broke out, they have not proved invincible. The Russians have already managed to destroy, damage, or capture several Abrams tanks. Therefore, the modifications being made by Ukrainians on the remaining tanks in service are not surprising.
M1A1 Abrams in Ukraine
In the latest video from the front, it can be seen that the Ukrainian M1A1 Abrams has been equipped with two elements - Kontakt-1 armour blocks and ARAT-1 dynamic protection from the TUSK package.
The first solution is quite common in the war in Ukraine, with both sides of the conflict using it with various armoured vehicles. In this way, they attempt to increase the level of protection, for example, against drones. ARAT-1 (Abrams Reactive Armour Tile-1) is a much less common modification. ARAT-1 is a single-layer reactive armour (with explosive material placed between two steel plates) designed to mitigate the effects of attacks carried out using, among other things, anti-tank grenades or armour-piercing ammunition.
Offensively, Abrams tanks in Ukraine can manage without additional modifications. These tanks are armed with a 120 mm calibre gun and 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns. An M1A1 Abrams weighs about 57,000 kilograms (additional elements can noticeably increase the tank's weight) and measures about 10 metres in length. Despite this, an engine with 1,500 horsepower allows it to reach speeds of up to 68 km/h.
More Abrams tanks for Ukraine?
There are no reports from the United States suggesting that the authorities want to send additional tanks of this type to Ukraine. However, a possibility for a transfer has emerged at the other end of the world. Australia, which is significantly modernising its armed forces, has decided to send decommissioned Abrams M1A1SA tanks to Ukraine. There will be up to 59 units.
