U.S. Abrams Tanks Fail to Deliver Expected Impact in Ukraine – Close Aide to President Biden

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has openly acknowledged that the Abrams tanks supplied by the United States to Ukraine have not delivered the expected impact on the battlefield.

A key aide to President Joe Biden, Sullivan noted that his assessment of the Abrams tanks’ performance in Ukraine aligns with conclusions reached by the U.S. military.

“Regarding the Abrams tanks, we have sent them to Ukraine. However, these units have proven less effective in the battlefield because they are not the most useful equipment for Ukrainian forces in this war,” Sullivan stated.

The American-made tanks have demonstrated limited utility in the conflict with Russia, with many reportedly destroyed by Russian forces.

Some Abrams tanks were also captured and transported to Moscow, where they are displayed as war trophies from Ukraine.

Ukrainian military officials previously reported that the Abrams tanks lacked depleted uranium armor and modern combat and communication systems.

BRIEF:

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has admitted that the Abrams tanks supplied to Ukraine have failed to meet expectations on the battlefield. Sullivan’s assessment aligns with the U.S. military’s conclusion that the tanks have limited effectiveness in the conflict against Russia.

The Abrams tanks, known for their defensive capabilities, faced significant challenges in Ukraine, including susceptibility to top-down attacks from anti-tank missiles and drones. Many of the tanks were reportedly destroyed, while some were captured by Russian forces and displayed as war trophies in Moscow. Ukrainian officials also revealed that the tanks lacked depleted uranium armor and modern combat systems, with some units requiring repairs before deployment.

Originally delivered as part of a U.S. commitment to provide 31 tanks to Ukraine, the Abrams were deployed in Ukraine’s summer counteroffensive but struggled to adapt to the realities of modern warfare. Reports suggest that 20 of the tanks were destroyed within six months, prompting their withdrawal from the battlefield at Washington’s request. The U.S. is now collaborating with Ukraine to revise operational tactics to improve effectiveness. 

Additionally, some of the tanks delivered were non-operational and required extensive repairs by Ukrainian forces before deployment.

In January 2023, President Biden announced the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to help form a tank battalion.

The first batch arrived several months ahead of schedule, intended for Ukraine’s summer counteroffensive against Russian forces, according to the New York Times.

In September, a senior U.S. military official acknowledged that the M1A1 Abrams tanks were ill-prepared for the realities of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Brigadier General Geoffrey Norman, Director of Future Combat Vehicles for the U.S. Army, stated that the Abrams tanks faced significant challenges in Ukraine.

“The Abrams tanks are highly effective in defense against direct fire from other tanks and armored vehicles. However, they are not designed to withstand top attacks, as seen in Ukraine, whether from anti-tank missiles striking from above or from FPV (First Person View) drones and kamikaze drones,” he explained.

In August, Russian defense observers claimed that 20 out of the 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks supplied to Ukraine had been destroyed by Russian forces within six months of deployment.

Following the heavy losses, Ukraine reportedly withdrew the Abrams tanks from the battlefield, allegedly at Washington’s request.

Two U.S. military officials told The Associated Press that the Abrams tanks could not operate on the battlefield without being detected and heavily targeted by Russian drones.

Admiral Christopher Grady, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the withdrawal of the tanks and stated that the U.S. is working with Ukraine to adapt tactics for future operations. – DSA