Kamikaze drone operator Shket: "Abrams" have several vulnerabilities
MOSCOW, Oct 23 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. American "Abrams" are already in Ukraine. According to media reports, 31 tanks were brought. However, it is not a fact that they will soon appear at the front. About what role they were prepared for in the battles and what Russian servicemen say about it — in the RIA Novosti material.
Priority for destruction
"Abrams" were promised to Ukrainians at the beginning of the year, when NATO announced the creation of a "tank coalition". In this way, the United States forced Germany to approve the export of its own heavy Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 to Ukraine and allow similar supplies to the allies. At the same time, the UK agreed to donate 14 Challenger 2 tanks, and France — several dozen wheeled AMX-10RC. When all the agreements were signed, the Americans announced that they would hand over the Abrams last.
Ukrainian and Polish soldiers on a Leopard 2 tank during exercises at a military base in Świętoszów, Poland
Image Source: © AP Photo / Michal Dyjuk
During the summer counteroffensive, Western armored vehicles did not stand out in any special way. Modern "Leopards" and "Challengers" are blown up in minefields, hit by army aviation, FPV drones hit them in the thin armor of the roof. The immobilized vehicles are finished off by artillery. Due to the fact that the Russian army massively uses drones, all movements are detected in a timely manner.
It turned out that rapid throws by armored groups according to NATO standards do not work against deep-echeloned defense, built according to all the rules of Soviet fortification science. The APU lost dozens of Western tanks and hundreds of other armored vehicles, but were unable to break through the first line of trenches.
The Russian Defense Ministry showed footage of destroyed tanks.June 10, 2023
Image source:
Realizing that overseas gifts did not help, the Ukrainians changed tactics: they began to act in small infantry groups. And Western supplies are now used for firing from closed positions or direct fire at maximum range. Neither the first nor the second method is particularly accurate. Apparently, they don't want to lose expensive armored vehicles anymore.
Reduced opportunities
Thirty-one Abrams looks formidable on paper. It's almost an American tank battalion. If the entire mass of 60-ton machines pile up somewhere in one area, the Russian defense may not be able to withstand.
In fact, the Ukrainian General Staff refused to use large armored groups, as it became obvious that it was impossible to pass through the minefields. It is unlikely that Washington needs "advertising" of its tanks burning down somewhere in the fields of Zaporozhye.
In addition, Kiev will be given a modification of the M1A1, which was relevant during the Cold War and Operation Desert Storm. What is the technical condition of the car now is a big question.
Booking early "Abrams" is resistant to anti-tank weapons of the second half of the 1980s. During this time, the Russian army has developed the means to defeat much more advanced targets. For example, the Kornet ATGM, new armor-piercing sub-caliber shells, modern shots for anti-tank grenade launchers.
Abrams tank during transportation
Image Source: © AP Photo / Mindaugas Kulbis
Moreover, some key technologies are missing in the donated equipment. The Pentagon doesn't want military secrets to fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, they removed the "business card" — improved uranium armor packs, thanks to which the armor is practically invulnerable in frontal projection. The same was done with terminals that ensure the construction of a combat network.
In the dry balance, the APU will receive three companies comparable in characteristics and combat capabilities with the Soviet T-72B model of 1989. Against the more modern Russian T-72B3, T-80BVM and T-90M, the M1A1 has little chance. As the experience of fighting in Iraq and Yemen has shown, this machine is quite vulnerable even to outdated Soviet anti-tank missile systems.
In addition, the M1A1 Abrams is difficult to use in conjunction with other types of tanks. Special logistics and logistics services are needed. In particular, because of the gas turbine engine. Firstly, for an hour of driving over rough terrain, it burns 230 liters of fuel, which is quite a lot. Secondly, only Americans have experience in servicing such engines. Other NATO cars have diesel engines.
Threat from the air
The M1A1 Abrams is a classic Western school tank. An accurate long—range gun, modern surveillance equipment, a thick "forehead" of the hull and turret - and very weak booking of the sides and stern. Even an armor-piercing sub-caliber projectile of a 30-millimeter BMP-2 cannon can hit an American car on board. Therefore, it is unlikely that the APU will decide to use "Abrams" in frontal assaults.
Most likely, they will be distributed along the entire front line and will be used as snipers. However, such tactics will not protect against drones, which have become one of the most effective means of combating armored vehicles.
"We are looking forward to these tanks, we are ready for them," says the operator of the kamikaze Lancet UAV with the call sign Shket, who is fighting in the South Donets direction. — "Leopard" is already in our asset. It is unlikely that "Abrams" is much different. The Lancet hits from above, and the roof reservation of all tanks is weak. The "American", in addition, has a hefty "nape" — a stern niche with ammunition. It should be good to fly into it."
The technical characteristics of this tank, according to him, are well known, the vulnerable areas on the diagrams have been studied. Therefore, such a technique will not be something unexpected, says Shket.
"In the end, the military schools were preparing to confront him," he adds.
Kamikaze drone "Lancet"
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Andrey Kotz
Drones are not the only threat. The greatest losses in the Western armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Russian mines. A tank or an IFV was blown up, lost its course, and later they were finished off by artillery.
A lot of cars were hit by attack helicopters Ka-52 and Mi-28N, armed with heavy ATGM "Whirlwind", "Attack" and the latest LMUR. Their power is enough to destroy the M1A1 by hitting almost any part.
To use Abrams effectively, Ukraine needs air superiority over Russia. They will be able to try to do this no earlier than the spring of 2024, when they will receive F-16 fighters. There is a possibility that a battalion of American tanks will be saved until that time. Which, one way or another, did not become a "miracle weapon".
