US‑supplied Abrams tank destroyed in Ukraine amid escalating conflict

Experts from the "white intelligence," leading the OSINTdefender channel on Twitter, indicate that the destroyed Abrams was part of the Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade's arsenal. This unit had previously lost three Abrams tanks and two M1150 engineer vehicles. For their most recent attack, the Russians deployed multiple guided anti-tank missiles, resulting in significant damage and the vehicle catching fire. There’s even footage online showing the precise moment the tank was hit.

The United States has delivered 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, with the first arrivals in late September 2023. Initially, there were plans to send 31 brand new M1A2 Abrams tanks using Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds. However, the decision was made to supply refurbished M1A1 Abrams tanks from the US inventory instead, which considerably sped up the delivery process.

In March 2023, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder assured that the M1A1 variant provided to Kyiv would offer "very similar capabilities" to the newer M1A2 model. Although the M1A1 is an older version used by the US military, it has numerous modifications.

The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) highlights that the M1A1 SA (Situational Awareness) version is just as resilient and maneuverable as its more modern counterparts, thanks in part to upgrades to its drive system and the inclusion of the Blue Force Tracker. This digital command and control system furnishes commanders with extensive and valuable information.

This is a reminder that the M1A1 Abrams is equipped with a 120 mm smoothbore cannon, and its secondary armament includes 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm machine guns. The tank is powered by a 1500 HP engine, allowing it to reach speeds of nearly 43 mph on hard roads. Weighing around 68 tons, it has an operational range of approximately 267 miles.