Abrams tanks fail to meet Ukrainian hopes in battle with Russia
Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, admitted in a widely discussed interview that the Abrams tanks did not meet the expectations of Ukrainians and much of the West. The American tanks have shown limited effectiveness in the war with Russia; many were destroyed, and some were transported to Moscow, where they were displayed as trophies from Ukraine.
As part of an American aid package to Ukraine, 31 Abrams M1A1 tanks were sent. Initially, newer M1A2 variants were considered, but older models were ultimately chosen, in part, to ensure a quicker delivery. The Abrams M1A1 still offers crews significantly more comfort, better equipment, and greater firepower compared to the Soviet-era designs on which Ukrainians initially relied. However, the American tanks did not prove as durable as anticipated.
Jake Sullivan candid about Abrams in Ukraine
According to data from the Oryx blog, which monitors and documents equipment losses in the Ukraine war, the Russians have disabled 16 Abrams tanks from further use in battles. Some sources suggest the losses may be greater, reaching up to 20 tanks.
“When it comes to Abrams tanks, we sent Abrams tanks to Ukraine. These Abrams tanks are not actually being used by the units because it is not the most useful piece of equipment for them in this fight,” said Sullivan.
The Defence Blog service noted that the tanks provided to Ukraine were modified. The Americans chose to use different armour modules and replaced depleted uranium panels with tungsten inserts, driven by concerns that sensitive technologies might fall into Russian hands. Additionally, the Abrams tanks sent to the front were stripped of the latest communication systems.
Controversial statement about Abrams
The concerns were justified, given the high losses associated with the Abrams, and some units were captured by the Russians. Some were analyzed by experts, while others ended up in Moscow on display as trophies from Ukraine.
Some observers of the war in Ukraine criticize Jake Sullivan's statement. They argue that the main issue was not the capabilities of the Abrams tanks, but rather the very small number of units the United States decided to supply to Ukraine.
