Abrams tanks should be equipped with additional protection against FPV drones - Forbes
Ukraine received 31 Abrams tanks two months ago, but has not yet deployed them to the battlefield. The tanks should be fitted with additional armor to protect them from explosives dropped by Russian drones.
This is stated in the Forbes publication, Censor.NET reports.
The publication notes that the biggest threat to tanks on both sides now, along with mines, is drones.
Abrams tanks are among the best-protected tanks in the world. But they are not invulnerable to attack. They are especially vulnerable to FPV drones, because drones can hit exactly where the Abrams have the thinnest armor - at the top and along the sides.
Analyst Gabriel Silveira explained that the armor on the Abrams roof is only 25 mm thick. A drone, even with an old anti-tank charge, can pierce this area and kill or injure a crew member, as well as damage electronic components or set the tank on fire.
The Abrams' side armor is also problematic, the publication writes. The sides of the tank are equipped with somewhat outdated composite armor sides. The rest of the hull is covered with simple steel sides.
Previously, Ukrainians have equipped their tanks with additional protection against drones. They added frames, rails, and dynamic armor. In this way, they strengthened the British Challenger 2 and German Leopard.
Forbers writes that for Abrams, the best defense would be an array bolted to the sides and top of the tank. They would allow the drone's charge to be detonated a few centimeters from the tank's hull.
The publication notes that it would be appropriate to equip the 47th Mechanized Brigade with Abrams. It is currently armed with German Leopards. But Germany has only handed over 21 of these vehicles. The brigade lost at least 4 of them, and the rest were transferred to the neighboring 21st Mechanized Brigade.
