Ukraine has sidelined U.S.-provided Abrams M1A1 battle tanks in its fight against Russia due to the increasing use of Russian surveillance drones and hunter-killer drones, which have made it difficult for the tanks to operate without detection or coming under attack. Five of the 31 tanks provided by the U.S. have already been lost to Russian attacks. As a result, the tanks have been moved from the front lines, and the U.S. will work with Ukraine to reset tactics to adapt to the changing battlefield dynamics.
The U.S. has formed the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries that meets monthly to assess Ukraine’s battlefield needs and provide necessary support. The U.S. recently signed a $1 billion military assistance package for Ukraine and is expected to announce an additional $6 billion in long-term military aid, including munitions for Patriot air defense systems. This aid package emphasizes counter-drone capabilities, additional air defenses and ammunition, as well as alternative vehicles like Humvees and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
In addition to providing tanks, the U.S. is also supplying Ukraine with long-range ballistic missiles known as ATACMs, which allow Ukraine to strike deep into Russian-occupied areas without being exposed to drone detection or fortified defenses. Despite the availability of Abrams tanks and training provided by the U.S., Ukrainian forces have not fully adopted tactics like combined arms warfare, in which tanks operate as part of a coordinated system with other forces. This has limited the tanks’ effectiveness on the battlefield, as seen during the recent withdrawal from Avdiivka, where several tanks were lost to Russian attacks.
The delay in passing new funding for Ukraine by Congress has forced Ukrainian forces to ration ammunition, resulting in them being outgunned and struggling to defend against Russian forces equipped with sophisticated weaponry. The evolving nature of the conflict in Ukraine, with the increased use of drones and advanced weaponry by Russia, has forced both Ukrainian and U.S. officials to reassess tactics and equipment to ensure Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. The provision of advanced military aid by the U.S. underscores its commitment to supporting Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and independence.
