Friday, May 31, 2024

Ukrainian Personnel Dissatisfied with New Abrams Tanks After Heavy Losses: Technical Issues and Insufficient Armour

Eastern Europe and Central Asia , Ground

May-30th-2024

Ukrainian crews maintaining the M1 Abrams main battle tanks supplied by the U.S. from September have complained of numerous issues with the vehicles, according to a report from CNN on May 29. Most notably, they stated that the vehicles had a number of technical issues, including vulnerability of electronic components to condensation. With the vehicles having taken heavy losses in engagement with Russian forces from February, including to drones, anti tank missiles and the guns of T-72 tanks, the personal lamented that the Abrams also lacked sufficient armour for modern battlefields. One servicemen stated that this was particularly serious since the tanks were a “number one target” when they appeared on the frontlines. More significantly than their military value, the effect on Ukrainian morale of losing the long awaited vehicles, which had been portrayed across local and Western media as a game changer, made destruction of Abrams tanks a valuable opportunity for Russia forces, with the first losses occurring within hours of their appearance on the front.

Ukrainian Abrams Tank Hit By Precision Guided Artillery

Ukrainian personnel also highlighted that Russia’s vast advantages in air power and artillery meant that advances by Abrams tanks could not be made in ‘cleared’ areas, increasingly their vulnerability. The Ukrainian Army withdrew its Abrams tanks from frontline positions in the final week of April after heavy losses were incurred. Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady stated at the time that the tanks "have been moved from the front lines, and the U.S. will work with the Ukrainians to reset tactics.” He otherwise strongly indicated that their deployment had not been effective. While the tanks were already up-armoured considerably in Ukraine preceding their first deployment, following their withdrawal significant further improvements were made to armour protection including the addition of ‘cope cage’ anti-drone armour screens. Extra explosive reactive armour has also been added to the vehicles. Nevertheless, with only around 20 Abrams tanks thought to remain operational, the usefulness of this force has increasingly been called to question.

Ukrainian Abrams Tank with Enhanced Armour