This facilitates night operations of tank formations, which is something both the Ukrainians and Russians have avoided so far due to lacking capabilities. “The M1A2 is equipped with additional thermal-vision optics for both the driver and commander, providing enhanced situational awareness to the entire crew compared to other MBTs of the same era such as the T-72 or Leopard 1 (thermal restricted to gunner sights). Tristan Sauer, land domain analyst at GlobalData, said that the “critical difference” between the M1A1 and M1A2 was the lack of advanced optronics and a digitised fire control solution on the earlier model. While it is yet to be clarified what exact configuration the Ukrainian A1 MBTs will be modernised to, one of the key differentiators on modern battlefield is the necessity of modern optics and sights. The only capabilities publicly listed as being fitted to the Ukrainian M1A1 MBTs was a 120mm main gun and a 50-calibre heavy machine gun.ĭifferences between the M1A1 and M1A2 AbramsĪnalysing the respective capabilities of the A1 and A2 variants, it becomes clear that while the older model will still be a valuable capability, it is not as sophisticated as the newer version.
Amid reports that the UK would be sending 120mm depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine to arm the Challenger 2s already granted, the Ryder stated that the US would not be sending similar munitions for the M1A1 Abrams. The 31 M1A1 MBTs will be made up from excess hulls being kept in US inventories and modernised to the required configuration. Ryder added that the decision was made due to the ability to get heavy armour capabilities into Ukraine faster than would have been the case with the A2 models.
The new timeline, according to Pentagon Press Secretary US Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, would see the 31 Abrams M1A1 tanks provided to Ukraine “by the Fall” of 2023, effectively halving delivery timescale. Given these prospective delays, and perhaps feeling political pressure at the speed at which its NATO allies were managing their own equipment provision programmes to Ukraine, on 21 March the DoD announced that it would change the order to the M1A1 model of the Abrams, along with an expedited timeframe.
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