What other 'trump cards' does the West have to help Ukraine counterattack?
(Baonghean.vn) - "American Abrams tanks are in Ukraine and are preparing to strengthen our brigades," President Zelensky shared. This is the last Western tank that has not yet entered the front. Will the US "gift" for Kiev turn the situation around?
The US agreement to transfer Abrams to the Ukrainian Armed Forces was one of the prerequisites for Kiev to receive equipment from other partner countries. Only after this was accepted, Germany agreed to send Leopard tanks. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have most of the Western combat vehicles.
However, Kiev has placed special hope in the Abrams tank. This is understandable, because the Abrams M1 is associated with resounding victories in Operation Desert Storm and the Second Iraq War. Business Insider commented: "Ukraine will receive old tanks".
In Ukraine, things are different. First, Kiev will be supplied with only 31 Abrams tanks, the M1A1 version, which has been in development since the mid-1980s. Second, the Russian army uses a significantly modernized version of the T-72 tank: the B3M. Not to mention, much more modern models.
Western media, which witnessed the “burning” of German Leopards and British Challengers this summer, are now much more cautious in their predictions.
Business Insider (USA) carefully lists the factors that can hinder the Abrams. First of all, there are minefields. “Like any armored vehicle, there can be problems with mines, if they are not neutralized. And the Abrams is no exception,” the publication notes.
Second, equipment maintenance is a major hurdle. Experts point out that the real risk lies in maintaining combat readiness, as the Abrams is a highly complex system that requires significant logistical effort.
A major drawback is the high level of financial support. Turbine maintenance requires more trained personnel than diesel engines, according to the French newspaper Le Figaro, quoting former Leclerc tank battalion commander Yann Boivin.
Finally, the uneven distribution of armor on the Abrams is a concern. While the tank can withstand direct hits, its sides, rear, and top are thinly protected.
Analysts note that entering the arena, Abrams is calculated to respond to the Soviet T-72. But tank battles are rare in the 21st century. Instead, anti-tank systems, widely used in the Russian army, will “penetrate” the M1A1. Kamikaze drones, Ka-52 helicopters, Vikhr-M missiles will become the main threats to Abrams.
The American Abrams tanks are designed with a very strong uranium hull. However, the batch of tanks that the Ukrainian Armed Forces received is not the most powerful and modern. So even Kiev consoles itself by not placing much hope on the Abrams to help them turn the tide of the conflict.