Ukraine Military Official Warns: Abrams Tanks May Not ‘Last Long’ on Battlefield
Head of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate, Lieutenant General Kirill Budanov, stated that the duration of the Abrams tanks' presence on the battlefield would be highly limited if these ground assets were used recklessly on the front lines.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Among the 31 main battle tanks of the M1A1 Abrams donated by the United States, between 8 and 10 have recently arrived in Ukraine and are currently being prepared before being sent to the battlefield to face the Russian military.
However, just a few days after arriving in Ukraine, Ukrainian military officials have issued a warning that the 70-ton American-made armored vehicles may not last long on the battlefield.
Furthermore, the Abrams tanks supplied to Ukraine are M1A1 variants considered to be “aged” and lacking depleted uranium armor and limited capabilities compared to the latest M1A2 variant.
As demonstrated in Iraq, M1A1 Abrams tanks can be defeated by basic and outdated anti-tank weapons.
Head of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate, Lieutenant General Kirill Budanov, stated that the duration of the Abrams tanks’ presence on the battlefield would be highly limited if these ground assets were used recklessly on the front lines.
“If the Abrams tanks are used on the front lines or in any combat scenario, their time on the battlefield may be limited and short,” he said.
Instead, he recommended using the Abrams tanks in well-planned and highly precise operations aimed at breaking enemy defensive fortifications.
Budanov also pointed out that the practicality of the Abrams tanks was highly limited due to the widespread use of artillery and land mines by the Russian military on the battlefield in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Russian artillery and land mines have reduced the potential use of armor assets in all corners of the battlefield to a minimum,” said the top intelligence officer in the Ukrainian military.
US and Western military officials had high hopes for the Abrams tanks’ ability to assist Ukraine in breaking through Russian military defenses in the current counter-offensive.
However, recent developments, such as the fate suffered by Western armored vehicles like the Leopard 1 and Challenger 2 at the hands of the Russian military, have raised concerns among US military officials that the Abrams tanks may face a similar fate.
Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) supplied by the United States to Ukraine have also fallen victim on the battlefield, with analysts reporting that a total of 80 Bradley IFVs have been successfully destroyed by the Russian military so far.
The United States initially hesitated to supply Abrams tanks to Ukraine but was forced to do so after Germany insisted that it would only allow Leopard tanks to be sent to Ukraine once Washington did the same with its Abrams tanks.
Washington was concerned that any destruction of Abrams tanks in Ukraine would damage its reputation. — DSA
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