Ukraine has requested Abrams tanks in the past few weeks, but the US is reluctant to send them to Kyiv. Having the Abrams getting stuck in mud or not performing well used by the AFU is less tolerated.
Abrams Tank Not Assurance for Ukraine To Win
Ukrainian leaders getting western battle tanks raises tensions with Moscow, Kyiv is desperate to get the American main battle tank and Leopard tank, but the UK's Challenger 2 is supposed to be ready for delivery, according to Bulgarian Military.
The Ukrainian government is asking western governments for their best main battle tanks, but critics say it will not make a difference. But Zelensky is insistent it will make one. Speaking about the request for heavy tanks after the AFU got many losses. The Russian political scientist Andrey Klintsevitz says Zelensky is exaggerating too much about its importance, per CNBC.
One point raised is that Washington is not honest about the matter due to how it relates to US arms sales.
Klinzewitz stresses that Washington does not want its premier land weapon, 'M1 Abrams, ' tarnished in the Ukrainian conflict. Through the conflict, the US seeks to overcome its competitors to grab the market. All other equipment can fail but not American equipment, the Military reported.
The symbolic nature of the US main battle tank is key to projecting the dominance of the US is the most important thing. Another is that a tank is for offensive force projection, also, keeping an undefeated system is a plus.
Sending Abrams Could Risk Knowledge on US Asset
Even with all the military aid sent to Kyiv, like the HIMARS but the US sending it to the Ukrainian proxy may not be done. The Russian expert mentioned that the biggest victory for the Kremlin was to see the US main battle tank getting trapped in the mud since it is a heavy tank at 70 tons compared to 50 tons lighter than other similar armored vehicles.
Other than losing its reputation if it were given that is yet to be verified, it will lose a customer if it fails. Add up the difficult maintenance and fixing in the field as serious concerns, and it will be a shame for the Abrams to be seen busted.
Further concerns other than it being too heavy, equipped with a gas turbine that is problematic too. Russian sources call it a liability in the field because it's hard to fix. AFU personnel will see more breakdowns that will hamper them.
Images of the US main battle tank allegedly having a hard time over a snow-covered slope were posted on the web, but no proof of the claims. In December, the lighter Russian tanks got bogged in the mud needing to be pulled out.
Seemingly to avoid this dreadful scenario that is pushing Germany to send their Leopard 2 when other EU states to part with theirs. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants the US to send theirs first, cited DW.
This statement has placed Washington on the spot due to squeezing Berlin to be the one to send theirs. A response still needs to be sent.
An expert on Russia nailed it on the head that the US reluctance to commit the Abrams tank to Ukraine, but Germany challenges the Biden administration to commit more than ever.
