Despite the Abrams’ key capabilities, the older M1 models delivered to Ukraine have struggled to survive against Russia’s more advanced arsenal of anti-tank weaponry.
A staggering 87 percent of Ukraine’s fleet of M1 Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) has been destroyed, captured or lost since the series was first delivered to the frontlines of the ongoing war last year. According to Military Watch Magazine, 27 out of the 31 vehicles delivered to Kyiv are no longer in commission. The United States and several of its NATO allies initially pledged to bolster Ukraine’s defensive objectives by providing a slew of tanks. In addition to the American-made Abrams, the German-made Leopard and the British-made Challenger II were also delivered to support Kyiv amidst the ongoing invasion.
Although the Abrams MBT series is widely considered to be one of the most sophisticated and reliable armored vehicles in service today, the platform has struggled in Ukraine. A host of issues, ranging from Ukraine’s lack of air and artillery support and lack of technical and mechanical expertise to manpower and equipment shortfalls, have contributed to the Abrams’ ineffectiveness on the front lines.
Why Is the Abrams Tank So Effective?
The M1 Abrams platform is arguably one of the most formidable MBTs of its kind to ever serve. Designed by General Dynamics Land Systems—formerly known as Chrysler Defense—the third-generation tank exemplifies survivability, lethality, and combat effectiveness. The Abrams family of MBTs was conceptualized during the Cold War as the Soviets’ armored vehicle potential was advancing. Initially, the US Army worked alongside Western Germany in an effort to field a joint tank series that could replace the M60 and Leopard 1, respectively. Although this endeavor was nixed eventually due to design disagreements and budgetary shortfalls, an offshoot program fielded by the United States would culminate in the Abrams platform.
The most prominent feature of the Abrams platform is its survivability. The Chobham armor incorporated into the tanks’ exterior is incredibly thick and performs particularly well against HEAT rounds and other shaped charges. Notably, the Abrams MBTs are equipped with two feet of this armor, significantly more than the four inches of armor provided on the earlier M60 platform.
Over the years, the Abrams has seen some serious upgrades, too. The tank’s upgrades have included the addition of the Inter-Vehicle Information System, an onboard Position/Navigation system, and the Trophy active protection system. This impressive defense system protects the MBTs from a range of projectiles, including anti-tank guided missiles, anti-tank rockets and high-explosive anti-tank rounds. Significantly, this homegrown system improves the Abrams’ ability to target enemy tanks—and therefore increases the crew’s survivability.
Despite the Abrams’ capabilities, however, the older M1 models delivered to Ukraine have struggled to survive against Russia’s more advanced arsenal of anti-tank weaponry. As detailed by Military Watch Magazine: “Most of the Abrams tanks filmed being destroyed or otherwise neutralised were targeted by guided artillery or by single-use ‘kamikaze’ drones, although one Abrams was confirmed to have been destroyed by a Russian T-72B3 tank after the two exchanged fire near Avdiivka.” Since lethal UAVs are cheaper and more accessible than projectile alternatives, Moscow will likely lean on its drone reserves to continue targeting Ukraine’s MBT fleets.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has bylines in many publications, including The National Interest, The Jerusalem Post, and The Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
