Current reviews counsel {that a} second M1 Abrams tank has met its demise close to Avdiivka, in keeping with open-access assets. A video at the moment circulating on the Telegram social community showcases the flaming US-provided tank. No specifics have been supplied relating to the precise second of the tank’s destruction, however whispers counsel it occurred throughout the previous day. Some folks speculate that the occasion came about as we speak, March third, however validating both declare is a difficult job.
Apparently, a further American machine of the identical Abrams construct was noticed close by. Introducing the M1150 ABV Engineer Machine, which was additionally present in a state of destruction. The standing of the crew, nonetheless, stays unknown. Some counsel that the crews of each machines have been engulfed in flames post-attack. Nonetheless, this chilling notion was disputed by Russian sources, who claimed that the crew members of each the M1 Abrams and the M1150 have been efficiently evacuated. You may learn extra about it right here.
At present’s occasion echoes the incident on February twenty sixth, after we first heard rumors of an M1 Abrams tank falling to Russian forces within the area. The place did the primary Abrams meet its finish? It seems to be none aside from Avdiivka as soon as once more.
M1 in Ukraine
In 2024, Ukraine’s armed forces strategically employed the M1 in precise battle situations. The M1 tank was sighted close to Avdiivka as early as February fifth, marking its return after its final look within the Kupyansk area in November of the earlier yr.
In an act of worldwide assist, america introduced that it could be equipping Ukraine with its main battle tanks. Particularly, the M1A1 Abrams variant was pledged as a donation. This beneficiant dedication was made not simply by the White Home administration but additionally by President Biden himself, who supplied a complete of 31 Abrams tanks to strengthen Ukraine‘s protection forces.
By the tip of the earlier yr, all 31 of the promised tank models had been delivered to Ukraine. Earlier than this, Ukraine’s navy arsenal primarily consisted of German-produced Leopard 2 tanks and the British-made Challenger 2 principal battle tank. Nonetheless, after deploying these Western tanks, reviews of losses started to emerge from Ukraine’s armed forces, together with a number of Leopard tanks and at the very least two dependable Challenger 2s.
Like several tank, the M1 can also be weak
Whereas a prime adversary in a conflict zone, the M1A1 Abrams tank does have a number of weak factors that may be exploited, notably by anti-tank artillery or assault drones. Amongst these is the tank’s reactive armor. That is particularly constructed to sort out anti-tank weapons, but it runs the chance of being overridden by a number of concurrent strikes or weaponry engineered to penetrate it.
The shielding of the M1A1 Abrams tank is unequal, permitting for potential focused assaults. The highest and again sections of the tank possess much less armor than the entrance and sides. Consequently, this poses a threat of being struck by assaults initiated from above, similar to these executed by assault drones.
The sheer quantity and mass of the M1A1 Abrams tank certainly current some issues. On one hand, their enormity makes them a straightforward goal on the sector. On the opposite, these traits make maneuverability arduous, which could be disadvantageous when a swift response must be executed to dodge incoming artillery or drones.
Lastly, the M1A1 Abrams tank closely depends on its digital applied sciences for aiming and navigation. Nonetheless, these methods are inclined to interference or harm by digital warfare, and even the doubtless detrimental results of a drone strike or missile. When these features are jeopardized, it considerably dilutes the effectiveness of the tank on the battlefield.
The issue is the armor
Again in January 2023, Ukrainian forces have been set to obtain Abrams tanks, as reported by BulgarianMilitary.com. Nonetheless, these weren’t your typical Abrams tanks. In a broader sense, these have been thought-about “circumcised”. Now, you might surprise why this uncommon time period has been utilized. It’s because the Pentagon determined to strip away the American configuration armor from the Ukrainian tanks, a function that really defines an Abrams. That’s why this configuration is also known as “The Iron Protect”. Discussing the tank’s armored packages leads us right into a world of secrecy. This particular improvement is handled with such nice confidentiality that even America’s closest allies typically discover it not possible to achieve entry to this armor info.
Simply to offer you a glimpse into the extent of confidentiality we’re speaking about, contemplate this: the Abrams tanks utilized by nations similar to Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia bear no resemblance to their American brethren. The explanation? It’s all concerning the armor.
Welcome to the world of Inexperienced Grape. This program is so confidential that stating it’s a secret can be a gross understatement. Because of Inexperienced Grape, as we speak’s Abrams tanks are outfitted with depleted uranium [DU] armor. This dense materials is a distinctive a part of each American Abrams armor bundle. There are rumors, though they haven’t been confirmed, that counsel the armor additionally incorporates superior ceramics.
That is maybe the one info that may be shared concerning the Abrams armor. Past this level, the main points are cloaked underneath layers upon layers of safety protocols. All these items of data are categorised as “delicate nationwide safety info.”
Abrams value the Kremlin $1,200
It’s value noting that the emergence of M1 Abrams tanks in early February not solely introduced intriguing information but additionally introduced a profitable alternative for each Russian soldier. In case you recall our earlier protection on BulgarianMilitary.com, a reward program is in place in Russia for any soldier who manages to get rid of Western tools of this magnitude supplied to Ukraine.
Final yr’s reviews prompt a slightly uncommon scheme whereby Russia pledged to reward its courageous troopers who efficiently incapacitated or destroyed such navy autos. Which means that a Russian soldier who neutralizes a Leopard 2, Challenger 2, or an M1 Abrams tank stands to earn a bounty in rubles equal to round $1,200 US. In the event that they handle to overpower a Bradley preventing automobile, the reward decreases to a modest $600.
Throughout the previous summer season, the Russian Ministry of Protection declared that any of their troopers has a probability to pocket a hefty $3,600 for taking down a Ukrainian helicopter, a fighter jet, or a US HIMARS missile. Apparently, a press assertion from the Kremlin highlighted that by June 2023, roughly 10,200 Russian troopers have benefitted from this incentivizing supply, succeeding in eliminating greater than 16,000 items of Ukrainian and Western warfare tools.
***
Comply with us in every single place and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you may open the web page from any laptop, cell units or net browsers. For extra up-to-date information, comply with our Google News, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Twitter and Fb pages. Our requirements: Manifesto & moral rules.
