Shares of US company General Dynamics fell after news emerged that Russian troops had destroyed another Abrams tank in the combat area in Ukraine.
Since 26 February, Russian forces have destroyed three Abrams tanks, with the latest being hit on 4 March by an anti-tank missile, presumably a Russian Kornet Anti-Tank Guided Missile. The first two tanks were shot down by inexpensive Russia-made drones.
Previously, military experts have repeatedly claimed that US-made Abrams tanks would not survive battles near the Ukrainian front line. The M1A1s have already demonstrated limited survivability when deployed by the Iraqi army in less intense combat operations.
The first Abrams was incinerated with a Russian Piranha-10 FPV drone. The tank was reportedly targeted by a “kamikaze” drone and suffered at least one hit from a mobile anti-tank grenade launcher. The Abrams was destroyed at Berdychy northwest of Avdiivka, from where Ukrainian forces were recently forced to retreat due to significant losses and acute ammunition shortages.
Russian infantry hit a tread of the second tank with a grenade launcher in the village of Berdychy near Avdiivka, and then two more hits with Ghoul FPV drones followed, according to Russian media.
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that, among other armoured vehicles, the third Abrams, immobilised by RPG, was burned near the village of Berdychy following hits by two Ghoul FPV drones.
According to the Russian manufacturer, such drones, made of plastic and partially printed on a 3D printer, cost about $500, whereas an Abrams tank costs more than $10 million.
