(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — A rare engineering vehicle based on the chassis of the American-made M1A1 Abrams tank, known as the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV), has reportedly been destroyed by Russian forces near Petrvis’ke, close to Avdiivka in Ukraine.
The M1150 ABV, which utilizes the chassis of the M1A1 Abrams tank, began its deployment with the Ukrainian forces in November last year after being supplied by the United States.
This engineering vehicle is deemed crucial for the Ukrainian military, with the significance of a single M1150 ABV purportedly equating to that of three or four M1A1 Abrams tanks.
Upon its arrival in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky was photographed with the distinctive vehicle.
The exact number of M1150 ABVs supplied by the United States to Ukraine remains undisclosed.
The vehicle was initially used by the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan starting in 2010. Videos of the destruction of the US-supplied engineering vehicle have circulated on social media, following its believed targeting by Russian anti-tank weapons.
Reports indicate that the M1150 ABV was destroyed after being hit by artillery fire from Russian forces, which utilized drone surveillance and guidance.
The same footage also shows three crew members exiting the vehicle before it was targeted for a second time.
Russian social media reports claim that the vehicle was immobilized by Russian tank fire, rendering it inoperative and abandoned on the battlefield in Avdiivka, which has now been successfully captured by Russian forces.
The importance of engineering vehicles like the M1150 ABV to the Ukrainian military lies in their scarcity.
The loss of such a vehicle further limits Ukraine’s offensive options, especially as the country faces a shortage of artillery systems and ammunition supplies.
“The loss (of the engineering vehicle) is more painful for the enemy than the destruction of several tanks. Given Ukraine’s lack of engineering vehicles and the existence of several large mines fields, thus, equipment like the M1150 ABV is increasingly critical,” according to Rybar.
In addition to being equipped with special tools for clearing minefields, the US-supplied M1150 ABV also features rocket launchers for destroying mines in the field.
Meanwhile, social media in both Ukraine and Russia reported that M1A1 Abrams tanks were spotted in the combat zone as of February 17.
Defense observers note that the American-made tanks supplied to the Ukrainian forces are equipped with the ARAT Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) Dynamic Defense System. — DSA