A unique vehicle arrives in Ukraine: The "assault version" of the Abrams

Ukraine recently received some uncommon equipment from the United States in the form of M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles. These vehicles, a specialized version of the Abrams design specifically suited to clearing paths through minefields, made their way to Ukraine without any explicit commentary from either Washington or Kyiv on the decision.

An indeterminate number of M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicles have been transported to Ukraine, presumably in conjunction with the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks. Despite the lack of separate statements about this from either party, evidence of this equipment's presence within the Ukrainian armed forces has been revealed in some recordings.

The footage in question was taken during a speech by President Volodymyr Zelensky, prepared on the occasion of Rocket and Artillery Forces Day, as well as Engineer Forces Day.

The recorded material not only encompasses the speech itself but also showcases equipment utilized by the Ukrainian engineering troops. President Zelensky presented his speech against the backdrop of the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle.

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This implies that Ukraine is presently the first foreign user of this equipment, aside from the United States. Australia has also sought to acquire the M1150 vehicle, but the deal is still in the process of being completed.

The M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle, an engineering vehicle, has a modified version of the original turret and is built upon the chassis of the M1A1 Abrams.

Despite bearing a visual resemblance to the turret of a typical Abrams, the one on the M1150 vehicle is fundamentally different. In place of a tank cannon, it comes equipped with two armored launchers for elongated charges.

These charges are long, flexible explosive lines that unfurl from their container with the help of a miniature rocket when fired. Upon detonation, the explosive line lands in front of the vehicle, triggering nearby mines to explode and paving a safe route through the minefield.

It is noteworthy that in Syria and Ukraine, these elongated charges, when deployed on UR-77 Meteorit vehicles, were used for urban combat instead of clearing pathways. Once launched onto a built-up street, the charges were capable of demolishing buildings on both sides to a distance exceeding 330 feet.

Apart from the launcher for elongated charges, the M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle comes equipped with a 0.5-inch caliber Browning M2 machine gun, and a front blade for removing obstacles as well as for unearthing and moving hidden mines.

Even though the M1150s do not directly engage in combat due to their limited armament, they play a vital role in penetrating fortifications. Thanks to their robust armor and tracked traction, they can forge a pathway through a minefield, even under enemy fire and in challenging terrain, thus ensuring a safe path for their own tanks and vehicles.