Ukraine's 47th brigade enhances abrams with reactive armor

The 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade is one of Ukraine's top units, primarily outfitted with American equipment. Alongside the renowned M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, it utilizes M1A1 Abrams tanks with additional reinforcements.

Ukrainian forces are currently engaged in intense combat west of Avdiivka. The 47th Independent Mechanized Brigade and other nearby units are determined to hold its ground. The video below shows a heavily modified M1A1 Abrams tank firing at Russian positions.

Ukrainians' opinions about American tanks are mixed. They appreciate the tanks' firepower and fire control systems and the isolation of the ammunition from the crew. However, they criticize the armor for not providing sufficient protection against drones.

To address this issue, Ukrainians have begun adding Kontakt-1 reactive armor blocks to some sections of tanks. The tank visible in the video above appears to have a reactive armor kit from two T-72 tanks. Many blocks tightly cover the tank's silhouette from all sides.

This type of armor is effective against FPV or Lancet-3 drones but significantly increases the tank's already substantial weight. A standard M1A1 SA Abrams weighs nearly 77 tons, and adding Kontakt-1 reactive armor can add over 4,400 pounds (armor for one T-72 weighs 2,646 pounds). Each block weighs 12.57 pounds, plus the weight of the framework for mounting them.

The downside of such reinforcement is significantly faster wear on the suspension or engine, leading to more frequent breakdowns. Ukrainians have already raised concerns about this issue with the Abrams tanks. Additionally, there is an unresolved question about whether the additional armor blocks affect the covers of the ammunition storage, which are designed to redirect the force of a potential explosion outward.