The American M1A1 Abrams tank is in Ukraine, but is Kyiv making use of it?

The American M1A1 Abrams is a powerful modern battle tank and one many thought would make a big difference in the defense of Ukraine after it was announced that the U.S. planned to supply Kyiv with this advanced tank. But little has been heard about their battlefield prowess since the tanks arrived.

Thirty-one American-made Abrams tans were promised to Ukraine back in January 2023 and the first of these tanks were delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in September 2023 according to Volodymyr Zelensky. 

The M1A1 Abrams tanks arrived months ahead of schedule according to a report from the New York Times and even more were on their way at the time based on statements from an anonymous U.S. defense source who spoke with the news agency. 

“I am grateful to our allies for fulfilling the agreements! We are looking for new contracts and expanding the geography of supply,” Zelensky added—but the Ukrainian President gave few other details on the tanks nor did he specify when they would be in the field. 

The Pentagon later confirmed with the War Zone’s Thomas Newdick on September 25th that the first batch of 31 Abrams tanks had indeed arrived in Ukraine in a statement and added the vehicle’s mere presence would serve as a “potent deterrent” and “discourage aggressive action.”

The Pentagon’s words may have seemed too hopeful at the time. But it's important to remember that the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank was the most capable vehicle in Ukraine's quickly growing modern arsenal. The M1 Abrams may have been in service since the 1980s, but it was still a very powerful weapon.

Sporting an M68A1 105-millimeter rifled gun and layers of ceramic and steel composite armor, this deadly main battle tank was designed to store fifty-five rounds for its primary gun and has a fire control system that can fire on the move according to Military Today. 

The Abrams can hit targets as far away as 1.25 miles (2km) and it has a secondary armament of a 7.62-millimeter coaxial machine gun as well as another machine gun of the same variety mounted on its roof along with a 12.7-millimeter machine gun to boot. 

Photo Credit Wiki Commons: By Unknown Author, Public Domain,

Needless to say, the M1A1 Abrams was designed to be a very effective killing machine in that it was made to protect its crew of four against heavy bombardment from the enemy while still being able to deal killing blows while leading attacks against enemy positions. 

However, despite being both heavy and bulky compared to other tanks from the era, the Abrams tank was “surprisingly agile”, according to Military Today. It was faster than nearly every other tank, had superior cross-country performance, and enjoyed a quiet engine. 

Photo Credit Wiki Commons: By U.S. Department of Defense, Public Domain

The M1A1 Abrams’ silent engine in particular earned it a fearsome reputation with the tank being given the nickname the Whispering Death. It is this weapon that Ukraine was given to use against Russia. But it hasn't really made a battlefield debut. 

Photo Credit Wiki Commons: By Staff Sgt. Jason Hull, Public Domain

The Washington Post reported that the Abrams tank was designed to engage other tanks and break through enemy lines, and that is exactly the type of action you can expect to see this American tank immersed in on the battlefields of eastern and southern Ukraine. 

Photo Credit Wiki Commons: By U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Micha Pierce, Public Domain

The tracks of the M1A1 Abrams were made for quickly moving across open terrain similar to that of Ukraine, something that makes a lot of sense since the principal enemy of the United States when this main battle tank was developed was the Soviet Union.

Photo Credit Wiki Commons: By Unknown author, Public Domain

"The Abrams will certainly make a difference on the battlefield. I mean, we know it's an extraordinary tank," Lieutenant General Douglas Sims II, director of operations for the US military's Joint Staff, explained to reporters in June 2023 according to Business Insider.  

Photo Credit Wiki Commons: By U.S. Army - LTG Douglas A. Sims II (USA) Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims Official Portrait, Public Domain,

"I can't tell you whether the offensive would still be going on by then or not," Sims went on the say. "I just know that when the Abrams arrive, they'll be able to make a difference with Ukrainians." However, Russian officials weren't so sure the tank would help Ukraine. 

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitri Peskov said the Abrams would burn while downplaying the effects the tank would have on the battlefields in Ukraine according to a translation of his comments from The Telegraph. 

“There is no panacea and no one type of weapon that can change the balance of power on the battlefield,” Peskov said. “Abrams tanks are serious weapons, but... these too will burn.” Whether or not Peskov's comments will turn out to be true has yet to be seen. 

Photo Credit Wiki Commons: By Sgt. Averi Coppa, Public Domain

In November 2023, The Telegraph reported that the first images of a Ukrainian M1A1 Abrams tank near the frontline city of Kupyansk were circulated on Ukrianian and Russian social media channels and suggested that the American-supplied tanks had finally been deployed. However, few other sightings have been reported since