Ukrainian commander praises superior Abrams tanks against Russian models
The Ukrainian brigade commander utilizing Abrams tanks evaluated them and compared them to those used by the Russians. According to the military officer, the American machines significantly surpass Russian designs, even those most highly praised by Russian propaganda.
10:22 AM EDT, July 19, 2024
American Business Insider published the opinion of the Ukrainian soldier. As highlighted on this portal, the interview was conducted at an unspecified location near the main frontline in eastern Ukraine. Some of the 31 Abrams M1A1 tanks sent to the Ukrainians as part of aid from the United States were deployed to this region.
Ukrainian evaluated the Abrams
Initially, newer M1A2 variants were considered for transfer, but older M1A1 models were ultimately sent to the front. The Ukrainians requested this because they were eager to receive Western tanks immediately. The Americans assured them that even the Abrams M1A1 would offer significantly more than the post-Soviet tanks on which the Ukrainians had to rely at the beginning of the war. The ongoing conflict has confirmed this scenario.
"It's better than the T-72, T-62, and even the Russian T-90," firmly commented the Ukrainian commander using the callsign Zakon. "It's like a mouse against a big cat," he added, comparing the T-90 to the Abrams.
According to the Ukrainian commander, even the T-90, described by Vladimir Putin as the "best tank in the world," stands no chance against the Abrams. It is less armored, making it more vulnerable to attacks, and it also has inferior technologies related to optics and fire control systems, among other things.
"Probably one of the best features of this tank is its speed. It's fast; it can easily engage in combat and exit the battlefield," noted the Ukrainian commander.
The Abrams M1A1 has a 120 mm cannon and machine guns of 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm calibers. It weighs about 63 tons but has an engine with 1500 horsepower, enabling it to achieve a speed of up to 42 mph on roads. In the variants intended for Ukrainians, the standard depleted uranium panels were replaced with tungsten inserts.
The Americans decided on this step out of concern that their sensitive technologies might fall into Russian hands. In hindsight, the decision seems justified because, as Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak highlighted in a conversation with WP Tech, the Abrams are not invincible. According to data from Oryx, Ukrainians have already lost 10 Abrams (some may be eligible for repair).
