Ukraine’s military is grappling with significant losses of its Abrams M1A1 SA tanks supplied by the United States. With nearly half of these tanks destroyed, damaged, or abandoned, the situation raises critical questions about the effectiveness of Western armor in the face of evolving threats on the battlefield.
Ukrainian Army Struggles as Nearly Half of U.S.-Supplied Abrams Tanks Are Lost
By Alban Albanese
Last modified on September 9, 2024 10:24 am
The Ukrainian military is facing a significant challenge as nearly half of its Abrams M1A1 SA tanks, supplied by the United States, have been destroyed, damaged, or abandoned since their deployment. This setback highlights the difficulties Ukraine faces in effectively using these armored vehicles in a modern warfare environment marked by evolving technological threats.
- Abrams M1A1 SA tanks, delivered to Ukraine in September 2023, have suffered nearly 50% losses, highlighting their vulnerability against modern anti-tank weapons and drones.
- The Ukrainian military decided to pull back these tanks due to their exposure to remote-operated munitions, reflecting challenges in adapting to new warfare dynamics.
- General Geoffrey Norman noted that while the Abrams has strong protection against direct fire, it lacks sufficient defense against aerial attacks, making them less effective in current conflict scenarios.
- The losses of Western tanks are not isolated to Abrams; other models like Leopard 2 and Stridsvagn 122 have also seen significant attrition, impacting Ukraine's overall armored capabilities.
- Despite these challenges, Ukraine continues to receive reinforcements from its Western allies, but the need for strategic adaptation remains critical to minimize future losses.
Rapid and Concerning Losses
Since their arrival in September 2023, the 31 Abrams M1A1 SA tanks provided by the United States have quickly suffered heavy losses. According to independent observer Oryx, which tracks military losses on both sides, 14 of the 31 tanks have already been lost. These losses primarily occurred during fighting in Avdiivka in February 2024, marking a difficult start for the use of these armored vehicles.
Due to the increasing threat of remotely operated munitions and drones, the Ukrainian General Staff decided to temporarily withdraw the Abrams from the front in April, underscoring the vulnerability of these vehicles to new threats. Although the Abrams are designed to withstand direct fire from other combat vehicles, they are not adequately protected against aerial attacks, such as guided anti-tank missiles or loitering munitions.
The Need for Tactical Adaptation
General Geoffrey Norman, responsible for the U.S. Army's armored vehicle renewal program, acknowledged that the M1A1 Abrams is not suited to the types of attacks currently encountered by Ukrainian forces. Despite advanced reactive armor, the tanks remain vulnerable to top attacks, a weakness exploited by Russian forces and modern warfare technologies.
The failure to adopt an interarms approach to maximize the effectiveness of the Abrams has been highlighted by American military officials, who noted that the Ukrainian military had not fully implemented the tactics needed to leverage the capabilities of these tanks. This lack of tactical adaptation has contributed to the high losses of armored vehicles on the battlefield.
Western Tanks Under Pressure
Abrams are not the only Western tanks facing heavy losses in Ukraine. Among the 21 Leopard 2A6s delivered, 12 have been destroyed or damaged, and of the 40 Leopard 2A4s received, 21 have met the same fate. The Swedish variant of the Leopard 2, the Stridsvagn 122, also experienced significant attrition, with 7 units lost out of the 10 delivered.
Expanding the scope of losses, the Oryx site has documented a total of 919 Ukrainian tanks lost, including 639 destroyed, 73 damaged, 71 abandoned, and 136 captured by the enemy. This figure encompasses various tank models but underscores the extent of armored losses faced by Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.
The British Challenger 2 tanks seem to be faring better, with only two losses among the 14 delivered. However, their use has been limited due to mobility issues, particularly in challenging terrains where their weight and engine power pose logistical challenges.
An Uncertain Future for Ukrainian Armor
As Ukraine continues to receive reinforcements in tanks from its Western allies, the questions of adaptability and effectiveness of these vehicles persist. With reinforcements promised by Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, the Ukrainian military could gain temporary relief. However, current losses underscore the need for a strategic overhaul to maximize the use of these valuable assets on the battlefield.
Ultimately, these armored vehicles are consumables in an active conflict where material losses are inevitable. The key challenge for Ukraine will be adapting its strategies to minimize these losses and make the most of the equipment supplied by its international partners.