Generals defend abrams tanks amid Ukrainian complaints

Retired U.S. Army General Mark Hertling addressed accusations made by some Ukrainian military personnel regarding the M1A1 Abrams tanks, describing them as nonsense. He attributed issues faced by the tanks on the front line primarily to their characteristics and the insufficient training of some Ukrainian crews rather than any weakness in the tanks themselves.

In an interview with American media, Ukrainian soldiers expressed dissatisfaction with the Abrams tanks, citing weak armor. This vulnerability has made them susceptible to attacks by Russian heavy weapons and drones. Furthermore, the tanks appear to be more prone to breakdowns than expected.

Mark Hertling, a highly experienced retired U.S. Army general who once served as the commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe, considers the Abrams tanks among the best in their class. He believes Ukraine's complaints are unjustified. Hertling points out that the Ukrainians underwent accelerated training and emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards to ensure everything operates flawlessly. He also notes that the Abrams tanks operate in conditions they were not designed, lacking air support and frequently even artillery support.

"They were upset because a tank was broken down. I reminded folks what I have already said - this is not the best tank to give to Ukraine because there are maintenance challenges, and you have to have a highly trained crew to address some of the things," said Mark Hertling on CNN.

It is worth noting that 31 Abrams tanks were delivered to Ukraine. Initially, M1A2 variants were considered for transfer, but ultimately, older M1A1 models were sent to the front. The Ukrainians themselves pushed for this, seeking to receive such support as quickly as possible. According to publicly available information, the Russians have destroyed five Abrams tanks and damaged three more.

The Abrams M1A1 tanks delivered to Ukraine have been modified to address American concerns about their sensitive technologies potentially falling into Russian hands. Instead of depleted uranium armor panels, new tungsten inserts were used.

The offensive capabilities have remained unchanged. The M1A1 Abrams has a 120 mm cannon, .50 caliber machine guns, and 7.62 mm machine guns. It is powered by a 1,500 hp engine, allowing it to reach up to 42 mph speeds.