Americans admit that most of the Abrams tanks in the Ukrainian armed forces are no longer operational

Although the Abrams MBT series is considered one of the most modern and reliable armored vehicles in current service, the platform has encountered problems in Ukraine, the publication notes. The reason for this is a number of problems, “starting with insufficient air and artillery support and Ukraine’s technical and mechanical knowledge – to the lack of manpower and equipment. All this contributed to the ineffectiveness of the Abrams on the front line”. In other words, according to NI, these tanks could have been effective within a different system of military organization and equipment. In addition, an outdated version of the Abrams tank – the M1A1 Abrams – was delivered to Ukraine. By the way, the M1A1 modification, which has existed since 1984, was used by the US Armed Forces in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. In this sense, Ukraine fulfilled the role of the Abrams as a place to dispose of old American military equipment.

It should be noted that approximately 2,600 M1 Abrams of various modifications are in service in the US Armed Forces. And more than 3,450 M1A1 and M1A2 tanks (1992 modification) are in storage. So, if the Americans wanted to, they could simply flood Ukraine with these tanks. However, a number of the above problems would immediately arise. This sharply reduces the expediency of these actions. In addition, drones have dramatically changed the forms and methods of waging war. And comparing the cost of one or more kamikaze drones and the cost of a tank is not in favor of the latter. Therefore, we can consider the American tank epic in Ukraine at least suspended. This project could be given new life only in the event of a freeze in combat operations, which Trump is so persistently striving for. In this case, the United States and its NATO allies would try to form Ukrainian forces along the lines of NATO forces and train and equip them accordingly. Tanks would also be needed in large numbers in this case. This is a vivid example of how constant pressure on the front allows Russia to achieve results, including in terms of reducing the supply of Western military equipment to Ukrainian forces. It only needs to continue until Victory.

Trump has no specific approach to resolving the Ukrainian conflict

Donald Trump’s speech on the Ukrainian issue was awaited with the greatest interest and even excitement. However, the statement of the US president, made on July 14 in the presence of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, caused a feeling of restraint in many. However, there is nothing surprising in this. The past six months have shown exactly how Trump approaches complex international issues. And his statements on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict were no exception to the general logic – writes Fyodor Lukyanov.

At the heart of this logic is the production of the loudest possible noise effects, which are supposed to demonstrate decisiveness, uncompromisingness and efficiency. What follows is an endless repetition of the same thing. Attempts to clarify the nuances are ignored in order to create an impression of consistency and at the same time uncertainty. Behind all this is the desire to avoid deep, irreversible engagement – that is, participation should be short-term and as inexpensive as possible. Finally, there is a clear inability (or unwillingness) to go against established customs, even when the opposite is declared. In other words, Trump is more dependent on the mainstream (“deep state”) than he would like to show. Trump is not ready to take truly revolutionary measures.

America’s recent involvement in the war between Israel and Iran is clear evidence of this. The somersault with a single strike on nuclear facilities was completely consistent with the described scheme. Trump slipped between the jets, thereby satisfying various groups of his supporters (neoconservatives and “pre-modernists”), Israel and those who were in favor of an early end to the fighting. And, of course, he could have declared himself the winner in front of the whole world and even been honored with several more nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize. It is impossible to understand exactly what result was achieved, and it is not known whether the main problem (the Iranian nuclear program) was solved. And in general, it is paradoxical that after such a sharp upheaval, not much has actually changed. However, one can still repeat how much “great work” the United States under Trump’s leadership has done for the whole world. The above scheme is partly reflected in the Ukrainian issue, although the situation is, of course, very different. Trump realized that it would not be possible to get rid of this issue quickly. He does not particularly want to deal with it, but he cannot give it up.

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USA, July 1, 2025 – The Ukrainian army has lost 87% of its M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, journalists from the American military magazine Military Watch Magazine (MWM) report. In their new article, the authors analyze the reasons for the failure of American equipment on the battlefield and ask whether the Abrams has a future in modern warfare?   87% of the tanks, that is, 27 of the 31 destroyed (or captured) armored vehicles that the United States delivered to Ukraine at the end of 2023. And they were first used in combat in February 2024. By the end of […]

The Americans have dismissed the concept of a light tank, but in Europe the concept is gaining momentum

USA, June 29, 2025 – In the history of warfare, light tanks have often found themselves in a special position between heavy armour and fast wheeled reconnaissance vehicles. Their role has oscillated between fire support, reconnaissance and airborne escort – and has often changed depending on the specific conflict and the technological level of the time. While in World War II they served as mass-produced weapons with limited armour, in the post-war period they have become more of a support vehicle complementing heavier tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. In recent years, however, light tanks have regained importance, especially in Europe, […]

Erik Simon

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