Ukrainian M1A1 Abrams tanks supplied by Australia have received extensive anti-drone upgrades and have already seen combat near Pokrovsk, according to the 425th Separate Assault Regiment “Skala,” the unit operating the vehicles on December 23.

The footage shows the Abrams tanks fitted with additional passive armor and explosive reactive armor blocks mounted on the turret, upper frontal plate, and hull sides. The reactive protection consists of Kontakt-1 modules—an older but still effective system widely used to counter shaped-charge threats.

War isn't funny, but the general dismissal of the Abrams MBT as an absolutely terrifying weapon to fight against by the international community is pretty funny. This is like the war equivalent of releasing a grizzly bear back into a habitat for the first time since it was killed off and pushed out by humans, yeah the unexperienced grizzly bears are going to make stupid mistakes but they are grizzly bears you know. These aren't shitty Russian tanks, these are actual modern main battle tanks.

It hardly needs to be said, but it is pretty insulting Ukraine hasn't been given more Abrams tanks by the US and others, this is precisely what they were designed to do.

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[+] Fluke@feddit.uk -7 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Tanks have proven time and again to be little more than giant bullseyes in this conflict. Yeah, granted, these aren't Russian tanks, but they're still easy game for cheap AF kamikaze quads.

That means a lot more support personnel to keep tanks alive and in the fight, which makes them less valuable than you'd initially think.

[–] bluGill@fedia.io 25 points 4 months ago (1 children)

that is false. Tanks used according to good doctrine as part of a well trained forces remain very useful. Don't confuse Russia's misuse of tanks and the resulting losses for tanks are useless.

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 15 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

...which is why Ukrainian battlefield commanders deployed Abrams tanks straight into the most intense flashpoint of the Ukrainian war at this moment?..?

[–] Jumi@lemmy.world 0 points 4 months ago (1 children)

They use them where they need them.

A tank alone is almost useless, it's big, loud, has poor visibility and big difficulties to engage close soft targets. It shows it's worth though in a combined arms scenario with (mechanised) infantery, artillery and in the best case air support.

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

A tank alone is almost useless, it's big, loud, has poor visibility and big difficulties to engage close soft targets.

You are right but it is fascinating how this is rapidly changing too...

Modern main battle tanks have gotten progressively quieter. Also emissions signatures are being reduced electric drivetrains being a massive leap forward for the stealth potential of armor. They named it a Leopard not a Bear or Rhino for a reason...
Modern main battle tanks have superb thermal and night vision optics. The CROWS system on an Abrams is like the turret and sensor suite of an attack helicopter bolted on top, this is in addition to the separate main gun optics.
Systems like the Bullfrog counter uav automated machine gun and PERCH uav launch system that integrate easily onto main battle tanks such as the Abrams tanks position the "western" tank as a co-interlocking platform with unmanned vehicles in a way no other platform can rival except maybe the attack helicopter.

A tank alone is still useless but it is anything but a legacy platform like the way people say, it is the armored control room that also happens to be located inside the big armored cannon.

[–] Jumi@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

And of course they gave Ukraine all that modern stuff... Not

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago)

Yeah the US didn't even want those Australian ones donated, it is pathetic.

I mean how about Saudi Arabia or Egypt too? They have a couple thousand between them... not that I would expect them too especially before the US gave more but they have A LOT.

[–] ThisGuyThat@lemmy.world 11 points 4 months ago

It was initially, but they've been hardened against drones. Anti drone techniques have caught up. Wireless jamming has caused drones to be tethered to fiber spools for control.

[–] realitaetsverlust@piefed.zip 4 points 4 months ago

Tell me you know nothing about modern warfare without telling me you know nothing about modern warfare.