The Reasons Ukrainian Troops Like M1A1 Abrams Tanks' Battlefield Performance

Ukrainian tank forces report they are pleased with their US M1A1 Abrams tanks battlefield performance. 

It's accuracy, the power of its ammunition, the quality of its targeting systems - night or day - are all cited as reasons why they like having it. They do express a desire for a wider variety of ammunition types so they can perform more tasks, reinforcing the notion that they would like to be able to use the tanks more widely in combat. JL 

Defense Express reports:

Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade say its M1A1Abrams tanks had proven themselves on the battlefield, and would not be withdrawn, nor would they be hidden to leave Ukraine's infantry without support. According to Ukrainian servicemen, "Its main advantage is its accuracy, its excellent stabilization, and its maneuverability, despite its heavy weight. The tank is adapted to fight both day and night. The thermal imagers are good." The biggest disadvantage is the lack of reactive armor on the turret. "It's armor-piercing depleted uranium shells work great. I would like to see a wider range of ammunition. It would allow us to perform a wider range of tasks."

Recently, Western media reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had allegedly withdrawn American Abrams main battle tanks from the frontline, but the 47th Mechanized Brigade denied this information, saying that these vehicles had proven themselves on the battlefield and they would not be hidden from russians as well as leave its infantry without support.

M1 Abrams / Illustrative photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense

At the same time, on May 6, Army TV, Ukrainian military channel, released a video where journalist talked to tankers from the 47th Brigade who were destroying russian occupiers with American M1 Abrams tanks. They spoke about pros and cons of these tanks.

 

"Its main advantage is its accuracy, its excellent stabilization, and its maneuverability, despite its heavy weight," , the tank's commander Dmytro says about M1A1 SA Abrams tank.

According to Ukrainian serviceman, the biggest disadvantage is the lack of depleted uranium armor and the need of reactive armour on the turret. "The first thing we would like our American partners to do is to provide us with reactive armor, so that we have not only the sides but also the turret protected to increase the survival rate of the crews."

 

Tank`s ARAT reactive armor / Video screenshot

The photos show the vehicle with ARAT reactive armor. "It [reactive armor] does its job well. If ATGM hits it, such as Kornet or something like that, it generally works, it deflects," the tank commander says about the effectiveness of this reactive armor.

Ukrainian warrior notes that Abrams tanks work against both infantry and equipment. They have recently destroyed russian T-62 main battle tank that was hit by an FPV-drone. The military categorically denies the statements of the Western media about the withdrawal of tanks from the frontline: "It is a complete lie, and the enemy does not even have to hope. It all depends on the situation, you know, we are not fighting tank against tank. If it were so, the T-72 tank would not have a chance."

"The tank is adapted to fight both in the daytime and at night. The thermal imagers are good, they allow us to work. But we have to remember that the enemy does not stand still, so we are hunted at night as much as during the day," the tank commander notes.

American M1A1 SA Abrams tank / Video screenshot

The commander says the following about the ammunition: "It has armor-piercing depleted uranium shells, they work great, they pierce armor. I would like to see a wider range of ammunition from our American partners, including fragmentation shells. It would allow us to perform a wider range of tasks."