Ukraine is about to receive 59 more Abrams super tanks?

Abrams super tank on the front line (Illustration: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine).

In 2004, Australia purchased 59 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks from the United States, and these were retired in July as Canberra began receiving upgraded M1A2 tanks. Despite being 20 years old, Canberra's M1A1 tanks have seen relatively little use.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported over the weekend that the Australian government is in discussions with the US government to possibly send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

Citing government sources, the newspaper said Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles had previously considered "various options" to provide tanks to Ukraine.

Because the tanks are manufactured in the United States and contain equipment subject to the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) export regulations, formal approval from Washington is required before the transfer can take place.

There is no information about the US response. Previously, Washington had provided Ukraine with 31 Abrams tanks.

Before approving aid, Australia will inspect each tank and determine what needs to be done to make it up to standard, said Michael Shoebridge, a former Australian defense official.

According to Mr Shoebridge, these tanks are still in good condition. "The Ukrainians are fighting for the survival of their country so we should get them there as soon as possible," he urged.

Last fall, the US sent 31 old Abrams to Ukraine, which are being deployed with the country’s battle-hardened 47th Mechanized Brigade. But the Abrams remain vulnerable to a variety of Russian threats, particularly small, explosive-laden drones.

The Abrams tanks are highly regarded, but the versions given to Ukraine are not equipped with the same modern armor as the US military's version, making them vulnerable to destruction.

In addition, the small number of Abrams is considered a challenge for Ukraine. Kiev has repeatedly said that with such a limited number of tanks, Abrams can hardly make a difference on the battlefield.

The Abrams' performance in Ukraine has not been very convincing, and Russia claims to have destroyed many of its opponents' tanks.

Russia's deputy permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Maxim Buyakevich said on September 19 that two-thirds of the total number of Abrams tanks supplied by the US to Ukraine had been destroyed.

Neither Ukraine nor the United States has commented on this information.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/ukraine-sap-duoc-vien-tro-them-59-sieu-tang-abrams-20240924182321166.htm