Where are the M1A1s?

What has become of the US tanks in Ukraine

M1A1 in Ukraine: it was fitted with Soviet-style reactive armor at the front - not the only modification made by the Ukrainian army.(Bild: twitter.com/ Status-6)

The Ukrainian army had to wait even longer for the US M1A1 "Abrams" main battle tank than for the German Leopard 2: the first examples only arrived in Ukraine in autumn 2023, and the US tanks were also spotted on the battlefield from the beginning of 2024. However, they have since disappeared from the front - and are being prepared for a comeback. Krone+ reveals what they are being upgraded with.

The US tanks arrived too late for the failed offensive last summer, but the Ukrainian army deployed the M1A1 on the front line in winter - and lost a few. Photos document the destruction of five M1A1s; Kiev is said to have lost a total of eight. Russia is also believed to have captured two minesweeper versions. This leaves just over 20 of the 31 tanks from US stocks, which are no longer at the front, but are being prepared for further missions with modifications. "Frankenstein tanks" are now being created from Eastern and Western technology to better withstand Putin's army. They now have experience in the necessary conversions ...