The outdated Abrams are serious vulnerability: 31 Armed Forces Tank Requires Modernization - Forbes

About it in the article for Forbes writes military analyst David ex. FPV is used throughout the front line and, along with mines, have become the most threat to Ukrainian and Russian tanks. The fact that Ukraine will lose some of its 68-ton Abrams M-1 seems inevitable. Kiev received Abrams M-1A1sa, which was released in zero years. These are some of the most protected tanks in the world, but they cannot be called invulnerable. The main threat for them is FPV.

The drone projectile can affect the most subtle M-1 armor places: on top and on the sides. Gabriel Silweira's observer outlined the problem. "Let's start with the roof, it is large and very thin, about 25 mm. FPV even with an old anti -tank charge can punch this place and kill or injure the tankers. Can damage various electronic components inside the tower or set it on fire and make the crew evacuate," he said . "There are several outdated composite armor components on the sides of the ABRAMS.

The honor of engineers should be said that Abrams were projected at a time when no one expected the drone to fly with RPG-7 ammunition and attack the most vulnerable parts. "In reality, it was expected that the most vulnerable element that would be the greatest harm would be the upper part of the tower," the author said. It is still possible to protect M-1 from FPV. The Armed Forces were exacerbated by most tanks: frames, straps and dynamic armor were added.

British Challenger 2 received side panels and plates for the thin lower front of the body. German Leopard 2A4 - strengthened a layer of dynamic protection throughout the corps, which reflects the explosion. It is reported that the outdated Leopard 1A5 also receive "jet" armor. The simplest solution for Abrams - cages, "barbecues" that attach bolts to the sides and above the tower. Thus, FPV will not explode in the immediate vicinity of the body.

According to the military observer, the Armed Forces will not be able to equip the dynamic protection of M-1 until the weather is dry. In addition, the weight of the tank will increase by tons - hence the risk of stuck in the mud. The advanced Abrams could get a 47th Mechanized Armed Forces brigade, which holds the defense north of Avdiivka in the predominant enemy forces. In service with the 47th brigade-Leopard 2A6 German production.

But Germany and Portugal handed over only 21 tanks to Ukraine, and the 47th brigade lost at least four of them. The rest was handed over to the nearest 21st mechanized brigade, which also has 10 Swedish tanks Stridsvagn 122 (Strv 122)-modified Leopard 2A5. The rest of the "leopards" are waiting for repair in Lithuania. The 47th brigade could give all the Leopards available to it and how to replace Abrams, the author of the publication suggested.

"Whether Ukraine receives additional Abrams depends on a small group of pro -Russian Republicans in the House of Representatives, who have been refusing to vote for help Ukraine in the amount of $ 61 billion for several months," the author summed up. Recall that the Armed Forces Command has transferred its "wilde" to the USA: from Thaad systems to Hornet fighters.