Two months have passed since Ukraine received American M-1 tanks, but there is no any news on their deployment, Forbes reports.
First-person view (FPV) drones remain the biggest threat to tanks, apart from mines, therefore Ukraine should reinforce the armour to withstand Russian explosive-laden FPV drone strikes.
M-1s are considered some of the most protected tanks in the world. However, even they are not invulnerable to attack, especially by FPV drones, which can hit the thinnest parts of the M-1’s armour: the top and sides.
Gabriel Silveira, a close observer of tank action in Ukraine, explained the M1’s problem with resisting drones on social network X:
Starting with the roof, it is big and really thin, about 25 millimeters. An FPV even with an old anti-tank charge can pierce this place to kill or injure a crew member, It could damage various electronic components inside the turret or set it on fire and force the crew to evacuate.
Silveira also described the vulnerability of the M1’s side armour:
On the sides of the hull, the Abrams has some somewhat old composite armor side skirts. However, the rest of the hull is covered by simple steel side skirts and the base armor on the sides of the hull is also made of steel.
Nevertheless, protecting the M-1 from FPV drones is quite possible. The Ukrainians have reinforced the armour of most of their tanks, adding cages, slats and dynamic armour as needed to strengthen the weak points of individual tank types.
The former British Challenger 2s received side slates and plates for the thin front lower hull. German Leopard 2A4 tanks received thick dynamic armour all round, which detonates outwards to reflect an approaching blast. Leopard 1A5 tanks are also reportedly upgraded with reactive armour.
The fastest solution for the M-1 are cages that are bolted to the sides and top of the turret. They blast FPV within centimetres of the tanks’ hulls. Silveira suggests that the Ukrainians will not add reactive armour to the M-1 until the weather becomes drier, as full use of reactive armour could increase the weight of the tank and risk getting stuck in muddy winter terrain.
It is not yet known who will operate the enhanced tanks, but rational planners may assign them to the Ukrainian army’s 47th Mechanised Brigade, which holds the defences north of Avdiivka.
The 47th Brigade currently has German-made Leopard 2A6 tanks in service. The brigade has lost at least four tanks and has moved the rest to the nearby 21st Mechanised Brigade to assist the former Swedish Strv 122s, which are modified Leopard 2A5s.
The remaining Leopard 2A6s are stuck in Lithuania awaiting repairs. As an option, the 47th Brigade could give up all of its remaining Leopards, bring the 21st Brigade up to full strength, and accept the M-1s as replacements.
It is now up to Republicans in the US Congress alone to determine whether Ukraine will ever receive more than 31 Abrams. For months, House Republicans have prevented $61 billion in aid from being sent to Ukraine.
