Ukrainian Army Has Lost Nearly Half of Abrams M1A1 SA Tanks Supplied by United States.

Since their delivery in September 2023, the Abrams M1A1 SA tanks provided to Ukraine by the United States have quickly suffered losses on the battlefield. Of the 31 units delivered, nearly half have been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned, with 14 tanks confirmed as lost, according to data from Oryx, which tracks military losses on both sides.
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The Abrams M1A1 SA is a heavy armored combat vehicle designed by the United States and used by Ukrainian forces. (Picture source: Open Source)

These losses, which occurred after the delayed deployment of the Abrams in the conflict, highlight the challenges faced by the Ukrainian army in optimizing the use of these tanks. The first Abrams tanks were deployed during the fighting in Avdiivka in February 2024, where the first tank was destroyed. In April, due to the increasing threat of remotely operated munitions (ROM), the Ukrainian General Staff decided to temporarily withdraw these tanks from the front lines, underscoring the vulnerability of these vehicles to new technological threats.

The M1A1 Abrams is designed to effectively withstand direct fire from other combat vehicles. However, its design does not offer sufficient protection against aerial attacks, particularly anti-tank missiles, loitering munitions, and drones, which are becoming more prevalent in the theater of operations in Ukraine. General Geoffrey Norman, responsible for the U.S. Army's armored vehicle-renewal program, acknowledged that the Abrams is not well-suited to the types of attacks currently encountered by Ukrainian forces, despite the presence of M19 ARAT reactive armor, which is intended to enhance their protection.

The Abrams M1A1 SA is a heavy armored combat vehicle designed by the United States and used by several countries, including Australia, Morocco, and Iraq. It is armed with a 120mm M256 smoothbore cannon, designed to fire projectiles at high speed and with great precision. In addition to its main cannon, the tank is equipped with a coaxial MAG58 7.62mm machine gun, another 7.62mm machine gun mounted on the loader’s hatch, and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun for the commander.

The Abrams M1A1 SA features advanced armor protection, incorporating Chobham armor reinforced with third-generation depleted uranium components, providing increased resistance to piercing projectiles and anti-tank missiles. This armor makes it particularly resilient against modern threats, while offering good mobility for a tank of its size.

This 63,500 kg tank can reach a top speed of 67 km/h, with a range of about 426 km, making it capable of moving quickly on the battlefield. It is designed for both day and night operations, thanks to an infrared night vision system and NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system, ensuring the crew’s safety against unconventional threats. Its battle management system and computerized fire control provide greater accuracy and better coordination in combat.

With a length of 9.83 meters, a width of 3.65 meters, and a height of 2.43 meters, the Abrams M1A1 SA is an imposing tank. It requires a crew of four: a commander, a gunner, a loader, and a driver. These features make the Abrams M1A1 SA an essential asset for armored forces seeking to combine firepower, protection, and mobility on the battlefield.

The losses of Abrams tanks are part of a broader context of difficulties for the Ukrainian army in maintaining its fleet of armored vehicles. Indeed, Western tanks delivered to Ukraine have faced similar fates. Of the 21 Leopard 2A6 tanks received, 12 have been destroyed or damaged, while 21 of the 40 Leopard 2A4 tanks delivered have also been lost in combat.

The situation is even more concerning for the Swedish Stridsvagn 122 tanks, a variant of the Leopard 2. Of the 10 units delivered, 7 have been destroyed or abandoned. The British Challenger 2 tanks, on the other hand, appear relatively spared, with only two losses out of the 14 tanks delivered. However, their deployment has been limited due to mobility issues, as reported by a Ukrainian officer in March.

Nonetheless, reinforcements are planned, with 19 additional Leopard 2A4 tanks promised by Spain and 14 more funded by the Netherlands and Denmark. It should be remembered that these combat tanks are consumables; they are also designed to prevent further human losses, and in this regard, they perform their role perfectly. We are not in a situation of deterrence but active combat, and the loss of armored vehicles is commonplace, even though everyone would prefer to avoid it.

A M1A1 tank will be used for training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. (Picture source: US DoD)