M1A1SA Abrams in Ukraine: prospects for the much-hyped miracle weapon
M1A1 tank in Ukraine. Photo Telegram / BMPD
After a long period of requests and waiting, the Kiev regime finally received basic combat weapons from the United States. Tanks M1 Abrams. A few weeks ago, three dozen such armored vehicles of one of the older modifications arrived in Ukraine. Now local crews are mastering the equipment they received and boasting about it on social networks, but, apparently, they are in no hurry to go into battle. This lack of enthusiasm is understandable and appropriate to the current situation.
Waiting for a miracle weapon
The Kyiv regime is characterized by a special attitude towards US-made weapons and equipment. They are perceived and presented as some kind of miracleweapon, capable of quickly and easily radically changing the situation at the front. Since the beginning of last year, American M1 Abrams tanks have been considered in this way, and a great desire to receive this equipment has been regularly expressed.
Despite all the requests, the United States decided to help Ukraine with its tanks only at the beginning of 2023. Initially, it was said about the possibility of providing a limited number of modern M1A2 Abrams MBTs, but they could not be transferred earlier than mid-2024. In March, the plans were revised. It was now proposed to ship older M1A1s after repairs. It took only a few months to prepare the tanks, and in the fall they could go to new owners.
In April, Washington announced the shipment of a number of old Abrams to one of the bases in Germany. Using this technology, they planned to organize the training process for Ukrainian crews. The first “release” of tankers was expected over the next few months - until the equipment was shipped to the Kyiv regime. However, at the beginning of September the training period was extended due to a delay in deliveries.
One of the Ukrainian M1A1SA. A commander's optical device is visible on the turret, allowing the modification to be identified. Photo Telegram / "Military Chronicle"
Despite reports of some problems and delays, it was during this period that the American side began shipping the promised equipment. A few weeks later, at the end of September, they announced the completion of the delivery. In total, the White House and the Pentagon were going to transfer 31 M1A1 tanks to the Kyiv regime, and all of them are already in Ukraine.
Until recently, the availability of Abrams MBTs in Ukrainian forces was known only through statements by officials. Now other evidence has appeared in the form of several photographs. They show American tanks somewhere on Ukrainian training grounds, probably in the process of being mastered by crews. Despite the poor quality, these photographs allow us to determine the condition and configuration of the equipment.
It should be noted that American tanks arrived in Ukraine at least two months ago, but have not yet been involved in combat operations. Various explanations can be found for this, and the most likely of them imply a low assessment of the equipment and its new owners.
Transferred vehicles
Back in the spring, official Washington announced the first details of the future delivery of tanks. Subsequently, new information appeared. Finally, the other day the first photos of Abrams in Ukraine became publicly available. In general, all available data allows us to understand exactly what kind of equipment the Kiev regime received and in what form – and what it can count on with it.
A batch of M1A1s transferred to Poland in June 2023. Photo by the Polish Ministry of Defense
In order to speed up deliveries, the Pentagon sent M1A1 tanks to Ukraine. This is far from the newest version of the Abrams MBT - vehicles of this version were mass-produced from the mid-eighties to the early nineties. They planned to take the old M1A1s for the Kyiv regime from storage bases, repair them and retrofit them with some new devices.
According to the latest information, based on the results of the activities carried out, the appearance of the tanks corresponds to the M1A1 AIM v.2 / M1A1SA modification. This version of the Abrams was created in the nineties and was supposed to surpass all previous modifications in terms of overall combat qualities. However, by that time more advanced modifications had been created, and the AIM v.2 project was supposed to reduce the gap between the M1A1 and them.
Tanks of the M1A1SA / M1A1 AIM v.2 version are generally similar to other modifications of the Abrams product, but have their own characteristic features. Thus, the general architecture, armored units, power plant and chassis have been preserved. At the same time, M1A1s for export receive combined armor without depleted uranium elements.
One of the main objectives of the M1A1 AIM (Abrams Integrated Management) and M1A1SA (Situational Awareness) projects was to improve the crew's situational awareness and improve the tank's control systems. In this regard, MBTs of these modifications received a new SCWS commander's optical-electronic device, improved gunner's sights, a satellite navigation system, an FBCB2 "battlefield control" system, etc.
Previously, M1A1s were used by the USMC. Photo by US Department of Defense
In general, the M1A1SA tank is a vehicle from the eighties, improved according to the requirements of the late nineties. In terms of equipment and related capabilities, the M1A1SA tank is similar to the next modification of the M1A2 tank of early series. However, it is significantly inferior to the latest versions of the Abrams and foreign-made equipment of the same level. First of all, there is a moral lag in the used devices and components. In addition, in the following modifications the protection, power plant, etc. were improved.
From the rear to the front
Thus, the Kiev regime received the long-awaited American tanks, and its formations are mastering them at their training grounds. However, they are in no hurry to send this equipment into battle - other armored vehicles are operating at the front, incl. foreign production. Apparently, the Ukrainian command and its foreign patrons understand the prospects of the transferred Abrams and are trying to delay the predictable end, as well as save their reputation.
There are several major factors that degrade the capabilities and prospects of the transferred M1A1SA. First of all, there is a small number of them. Three dozen tanks are only enough to equip one battalion, which is extremely small in the scale of current military operations. Any losses of such a unit will be overly sensitive, and it will quickly lose its combat effectiveness.
In this case, equipment losses are practically guaranteed. Ukrainian Abrams will have to work on the battlefield without sufficient cover and support, while the Russian army will use all available means. Both specialized anti-tank systems and various UAVs, artillery, etc. will be used. The M1A1 tank is of particular interest as a target and/or trophy - and will receive appropriate attention.
M1A1 one of the latest versions. Photo by US Department of Defense
The survivability of American-made MBTs in such conditions is highly questionable. M1A1SA are supplied to Ukraine with a simplified version of the armor, which has a reduced level of protection. In addition, combined anti-ballistic armor is available only in the frontal projection of the vehicle, while other angles are less well protected. Accordingly, such a target can be hit and destroyed by various fire weapons.
In general, it can be assumed that attempts to use Abrams tanks in combat will end in the same way as battles involving other NATO-style equipment. In the summer, the Kiev regime tried to use German Leopard 2 and British Challenger 2 tanks - and this technology naturally suffered losses. Modern foreign MBTs have been blown up by mines, attacked by attack UAVs, hit by anti-tank systems, or come under artillery fire. The Russian army competently prepared the defense and did not allow the enemy to effectively use the new armored vehicles.
Advertising tasks
Thus, the Kiev regime still managed to beg for American tanks, but there would be little benefit from such help. The small number of M1A1SAs delivered will not affect the course of hostilities and will not live up to expectations. At the same time, it should be expected that such tanks will even add operational and other problems.
Negative image consequences should also be expected. The M1 Abrams tank was carefully created to create the image of one of the best MBTs in the world, with unique characteristics and capabilities. Now these machines may find themselves in the most difficult conditions and suffer losses that will certainly hit their “bright image.” However, there is a way to preserve the image - to refuse to solve combat missions and keep the equipment in the rear, showing it only for advertising purposes.
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