The Biden administration has announced it will send 31 M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine in what Kyiv authorities are hailing as a possible game-changer in a war that is now 11 months old. RFE/RL takes a quick look at the Abrams's history and its specs.
The History Of The Abrams Tank
1
M1A1 Abrams tanks participate in a NATO exercise in Adazi, Latvia, on March 26, 2021. Moscow said providing the tanks to Ukraine would be a "blatant provocation."
2
Two Marine Corps M-1A1 Abrams main battle tanks move across the desert during the ground phase of Operation Desert Storm on February 24, 1991. Though the M1 Abrams entered service in 1980, Desert Storm was its first time in combat.
3
An Albanian woman spins wool in front of a U.S. M1 Abrams tank that was part of NATO's operation during the Kosovo conflict, outside the Rinas airbase on May 12, 1999.
With a crew of four (commander, gunner, loader, and driver), the Abrams is one of the heaviest tanks in service at nearly 62 metric tons.
With a crew of four (commander, gunner, loader, and driver), the Abrams is one of the heaviest tanks in service at nearly 62 metric tons.
4
U.S. Marine Corps reservists fly their "Jolly Roger" on an M1A1 Abrams tank at U.S. Marine Corps Camp Grizzly in Kuwait on February 16, 2003.
The Abrams has gone through various upgrades, resulting in the M1, M1A1, and M1A2 versions, with each having improvements in armament, protection, and electronics.
The Abrams has gone through various upgrades, resulting in the M1, M1A1, and M1A2 versions, with each having improvements in armament, protection, and electronics.
5
U.S. Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tanks take up defensive positions during a firefight near the main traffic checkpoint in Fallujah, Iraq, on June 24, 2004.
The export version of the Abrams is used by the armies of Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Poland, and Saudi Arabia.
The export version of the Abrams is used by the armies of Australia, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Poland, and Saudi Arabia.
6
A U.S. Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams tank speeds down an Iraqi highway near a military traffic checkpoint in Fallujah on July 1, 2004.
The U.S. Army is believed to have 2,509 Abrams in various versions, with an additional 3,700 in storage.
The U.S. Army is believed to have 2,509 Abrams in various versions, with an additional 3,700 in storage.
7
A U.S. Marine refuels his M1 Abrams tank at FOB Edinburgh in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on February 2, 2011.
The current M1A2 Abrams can reach a top speed of 72 km/h (on paved roads) and 48 km/h off-road. The engine can use a variety of fuels, including jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, and marine diesel.
The current M1A2 Abrams can reach a top speed of 72 km/h (on paved roads) and 48 km/h off-road. The engine can use a variety of fuels, including jet fuel, gasoline, diesel, and marine diesel.
8
An Iraqi forces' M1 Abrams tank advances toward Mosul, Iraq, during an offensive to retake the area from Islamic State (IS) militants on February 25, 2017.
9
An M1A1 Abrams during target practice at Fort Stewart, Georgia, in the United States, on March 29, 2018.
The tank commander controls a 120mm Rheinmetall M256A1 smoothbore main gun along with a Browning .50 cal. (12.7mm) M2HB antiaircraft heavy machine gun and two 7.62mm M240 machine guns.
The tank commander controls a 120mm Rheinmetall M256A1 smoothbore main gun along with a Browning .50 cal. (12.7mm) M2HB antiaircraft heavy machine gun and two 7.62mm M240 machine guns.
10
Military personnel unload M1 Abrams tanks at Bremerhaven, Germany, on February 21, 2020.
Mark Hertling, a former commander of U.S. ground forces in Europe, estimated German-made Leopard 2 tanks could reach Ukraine's battlefields as soon as March while U.S. tanks, which need more logistical support, could be more than eight months away.
Mark Hertling, a former commander of U.S. ground forces in Europe, estimated German-made Leopard 2 tanks could reach Ukraine's battlefields as soon as March while U.S. tanks, which need more logistical support, could be more than eight months away.
