Conflict in Ukraine - Western wonders fail: Ukrainian troops discuss the US M1 Abrams tank in a CNN report
Western allies have provided Ukraine with three modern combat tanks: the German Leopard 2, the British Challenger 2, and the American M1 Abrams. Interviews with Ukrainian soldiers about their experiences with the M1 Abrams were unsettling.
The M1 Abrams is heavier than the Soviet T-models, but its armor is inadequate. "The armor isn't enough here," said a soldier with the call sign Joker to CNN. "It doesn't protect the crew." The biggest problem is the drones; they can hit weak spots. The M1's weak armor on the front creates a vulnerability. Like all tanks, it was designed to protect the front part well since most impacts occurred from the front. However, drone pilots know this, so they target the poorly defended areas, such as the optics, sensors, engine, and roof.
M1 Abrams Impractical for Current Conflict
The CNN video shows that the M1 Abrams has not been properly adapted for the Ukrainian war environment. To counter drones, both the Russians and the Ukrainians installed cages on the roof, initially improvised and later mass-produced. They're meant to cause explosions 50 to 100 cm in front of the tank's actual armor. The tanks and chassis are covered with reactive armor, which are small packets that detonate to keep the generic explosive charge away from the tank.
Sending such an ill-prepared tank to the battlefield is puzzling. The Russians' engineers go to the front to talk directly with their soldiers to identify weaknesses. These protective mechanisms are not perfect, but in many cases, it takes many drone hits to stop a tank, and sometimes, it doesn't even work. The Abrams in the video does without this protection. Ukraine will likely add reactive armor, but the M1 Abrams is already too heavy and underpowered for Ukrainian terrain, especially in wet conditions. Adding more weight would impact performance. Additionally, adding protection to the turret and its supports affects the tank's performance.
The crew is displeased, stating that they're not fighting under the conditions NATO planned. In the NATO doctrine, armored forces advance only after artillery and air support have neutralized the enemy. This is impossible in Ukraine; they have tanks and no air force or artillery. Another challenge is the main weapon, as the Abrams, like other tanks of its time, was originally intended as a dueling tank to take out enemy armored vehicles. Tank duels are rare in Ukraine; tanks are used to support infantry. Hence, armor-piercing rounds aren't needed. Instead, explosive shells should be used, and there appears to be a shortage of them. "We often work like artillery, dismantling a row of trees or a building. We used 17 rounds on a house, and it still stood." CNN journalists observed a tank that recently arrived from Poland getting stuck due to engine problems. There's also an issue with condensation in the turrets, which could lead to fires in the electronic systems.
As the top priority target, the M1 Abrams is regularly targeted. "When the tank moves, the drones, they all want to hit it." "We're the number one target on the battlefield." The government offers rewards for shooting down Western tanks.
The Leopard 2, however, receives high praise. The main weapon works accurately, and the tank is designed for comfortable operation. The crew's protection is excellent. The criticism is directed at the wear and tear on spare parts and the inability to perform repairs in frontline workshops. The Challenger 2 is seldom seen in action, making a visit by British journalists to a training ground a PR catastrophe. The heavy Challenger 2 sank into the muddy ground before their eyes, almost disappearing.
However, it's crucial to keep these paraphrased thoughts connected to the original text.
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