By Anthony Bell
At the end of February of this year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) began to lose American M1A1SA “Abrams” tanks. In the fall of 2023, the United States delivered 31 “Abrams” tanks to Ukraine, which were called “indestructible” in the West. The Kiev regime did not introduce American equipment into battle for a long time and began to use it on the battlefield only at the end of February 2024, trying to turn the tide of hostilities in the Avdiivka direction in its favor. However, in just one-month, Russian troops destroyed six “Abrams” tanks in service with the 47th separate motorized brigade (OMBR) of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
It should be noted that Russian troops were well prepared and motivated for the appearance of American tanks in the combat zone. As Russian media reported, all military personnel were informed in advance that if the “Abrams” were defeated, they would receive a cash bonus of 1 million rubles (about US10 thousand dollars). Prizes were awarded both by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and various funds supporting Russian military personnel in the combat zone. The design of the “Abrams” tank was analyzed in detail by military experts, and all its most vulnerable zones were studied by the troops. Thus, American tanks advertised at international arms exhibitions were doomed to become training targets for Russian troops, which was clearly demonstrated in combat operations.
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The defeat of American tanks was ensured by FPV-drones (4 tanks), crews of the “Kornet-M” anti-tank missile systems (one tank), and a T-72B3 tank (one tank). Immobilized “Abrams” tanks, initially hit by anti-tank systems and the Russian T-72B3 tank, were additionally targeted by FPV-drones until they were completely burned out.
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The first American “Abrams” tank in the special military operation (SVO) zone in Ukraine was hit by a “Piranha” FPV-drone, which is being tested in the Ukrainian theater of operations. This drone is used mainly to destroy dugouts, shelters, and fortifications, military equipment. The payload weight of the drone is 4.5 kg, and the range is 15 km. According to the designers of the Simbirsk Design Bureau (SKB) “Piranha”, the FPV-drone they created of the same name stands out among its analogues due to the unique frequencies at which it operates. “No one has video transmitters on this frequency. During testing with electronic warfare equipment, the “Piranha” turned out to be the only drone that could not be suppressed,” the designer emphasized.
According to him, based on the results of testing “Piranha” FPV-drones in a combat zone, an official conclusion was received from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation that SKB has unique video transmitters that are capable of operating stably in electronic warfare conditions.
FPV-drones, like “Lancet” X-winged loitering munitions, currently play a large role in the destruction of NATO armored vehicles in the Ukrainian theater of operations. However, the Russian army has much more powerful “surface-to-surface” and “air-to-surface” weapons against armored vehicles, including the “Vikhr”, “Ataka”, “Khrysantema” and Kh-39 (ex-Izdelie-305) high-precision guided missiles. It can be assumed that in certain tactical scenarios these weapons will also be used to destroy “Abrams” tanks.
On March 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the 344th State Center for Combat Use and Retraining of Flight Personnel of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in Torzhok, where he was shown, in particular, the “Khrysantema” anti-tank missile. According to the head of the combat training department of the 344th Center, these missiles were repeatedly used from Mi-28NM attack helicopters against German “Leopard” tanks. In all cases where the “Khrysantema” missile hit German tanks, their turrets were torn off and their ammunition detonated.
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The M1A1SA “Abrams” tanks that were destroyed in Ukraine are “significantly overrated,” writes the American magazine “National Interest”, adding that there will be more losses among them, and urging not to consider these armored vehicles as “an invincible miracle weapon.”
“The M1 “Abrams” is probably significantly overrated – just like the British “Challenger 2” and the German “Leopard 2”. While the M1 “Abrams”, “Challenger 2” and “Leopard 2” are considered some of the best tanks currently in service, none should be considered an invincible wonder weapon “, says the “National Interest”.
As the publication notes, the battles in Ukraine have demonstrated that drones and anti-tank weapons can challenge even the most modern and heavily armored vehicles. At the same time, according to the “National Interest”, tanks will continue to play a huge role in the conflict.
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The American publication believes that the “Abrams” tanks destroyed in the Avdeevka area will almost certainly not be the last.
The author is an independent military analyst.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.
By Anthony Bell
At the end of February of this year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) began to lose American M1A1SA “Abrams” tanks. In the fall of 2023, the United States delivered 31 “Abrams” tanks to Ukraine, which were called “indestructible” in the West. The Kiev regime did not introduce American equipment into battle for a long time and began to use it on the battlefield only at the end of February 2024, trying to turn the tide of hostilities in the Avdiivka direction in its favor. However, in just one-month, Russian troops destroyed six “Abrams” tanks in service with the 47th separate motorized brigade (OMBR) of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
It should be noted that Russian troops were well prepared and motivated for the appearance of American tanks in the combat zone. As Russian media reported, all military personnel were informed in advance that if the “Abrams” were defeated, they would receive a cash bonus of 1 million rubles (about US10 thousand dollars). Prizes were awarded both by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and various funds supporting Russian military personnel in the combat zone. The design of the “Abrams” tank was analyzed in detail by military experts, and all its most vulnerable zones were studied by the troops. Thus, American tanks advertised at international arms exhibitions were doomed to become training targets for Russian troops, which was clearly demonstrated in combat operations.
The defeat of American tanks was ensured by FPV-drones (4 tanks), crews of the “Kornet-M” anti-tank missile systems (one tank), and a T-72B3 tank (one tank). Immobilized “Abrams” tanks, initially hit by anti-tank systems and the Russian T-72B3 tank, were additionally targeted by FPV-drones until they were completely burned out.
The first American “Abrams” tank in the special military operation (SVO) zone in Ukraine was hit by a “Piranha” FPV-drone, which is being tested in the Ukrainian theater of operations. This drone is used mainly to destroy dugouts, shelters, and fortifications, military equipment. The payload weight of the drone is 4.5 kg, and the range is 15 km. According to the designers of the Simbirsk Design Bureau (SKB) “Piranha”, the FPV-drone they created of the same name stands out among its analogues due to the unique frequencies at which it operates. “No one has video transmitters on this frequency. During testing with electronic warfare equipment, the “Piranha” turned out to be the only drone that could not be suppressed,” the designer emphasized.
According to him, based on the results of testing “Piranha” FPV-drones in a combat zone, an official conclusion was received from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation that SKB has unique video transmitters that are capable of operating stably in electronic warfare conditions.
FPV-drones, like “Lancet” X-winged loitering munitions, currently play a large role in the destruction of NATO armored vehicles in the Ukrainian theater of operations. However, the Russian army has much more powerful “surface-to-surface” and “air-to-surface” weapons against armored vehicles, including the “Vikhr”, “Ataka”, “Khrysantema” and Kh-39 (ex-Izdelie-305) high-precision guided missiles. It can be assumed that in certain tactical scenarios these weapons will also be used to destroy “Abrams” tanks.
On March 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the 344th State Center for Combat Use and Retraining of Flight Personnel of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation in Torzhok, where he was shown, in particular, the “Khrysantema” anti-tank missile. According to the head of the combat training department of the 344th Center, these missiles were repeatedly used from Mi-28NM attack helicopters against German “Leopard” tanks. In all cases where the “Khrysantema” missile hit German tanks, their turrets were torn off and their ammunition detonated.
The M1A1SA “Abrams” tanks that were destroyed in Ukraine are “significantly overrated,” writes the American magazine “National Interest”, adding that there will be more losses among them, and urging not to consider these armored vehicles as “an invincible miracle weapon.”
“The M1 “Abrams” is probably significantly overrated – just like the British “Challenger 2” and the German “Leopard 2”. While the M1 “Abrams”, “Challenger 2” and “Leopard 2” are considered some of the best tanks currently in service, none should be considered an invincible wonder weapon “, says the “National Interest”.
As the publication notes, the battles in Ukraine have demonstrated that drones and anti-tank weapons can challenge even the most modern and heavily armored vehicles. At the same time, according to the “National Interest”, tanks will continue to play a huge role in the conflict.
The American publication believes that the “Abrams” tanks destroyed in the Avdeevka area will almost certainly not be the last.
The author is an independent military analyst.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal and do not reflect the official position or policy of Financial Express Online. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.
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