“Associated Press”: US Abrams tanks in Ukraine proved powerless against Russian drones

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Ukraine has sidelined US-supplied Abrams M1A1 battle tanks for now in its battle against Russia, in part because Russian drones make it difficult for them to move without being detected and attacked, two US military officials told The Associated Press.

The US agreed to send 31 Abrams to Ukraine in January 2023 after an aggressive months-long campaign by Kiev, arguing that the tanks, which cost around $10 million apiece, are vital to its ability to penetrate Russian lines.

But the battlefield has changed significantly since then, especially with the widespread use of Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones. These weapons make it difficult for Ukraine to defend the tanks when they are quickly detected and pursued by Russian drones or shells.

Five out of 31 tanks have already been destroyed by Russian attacks.

The proliferation of drones on the Ukrainian battlefield means “there is no open terrain that you can just move through without fear of detection,” a senior defense official told reporters on Thursday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide an update on U.S. arms support for Ukraine ahead of Friday’s meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

For now, the tanks have been moved from the front lines and the U.S. will work with the Ukrainians to readjust tactics, said Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Christopher Grady.

“When you think about the way the battle has played out, massive armor in an environment where unmanned aerial systems are ubiquitous can be at risk,” Grady told the AP, adding that tanks are still important.

“Now there’s a way to do it,” he said. “We will be working with our Ukrainian partners and other partners on the ground to help them think about how they can use this in this changed environment now where everything is immediately visible.”

News of the removed tanks comes as the U.S. marks the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries that meets monthly to assess Ukraine’s battlefield needs and determine where to find needed ammunition, weapons or support , to keep Ukraine equipped troops.

Source: “Labor”