How Ukraine’s Simple Armor Upgrade Improved US Abrams Tanks in Combat Against Russia

Despite being recognized as one of the premier tanks globally, the M1 Abrams has shown weaknesses when faced with Russian drones and explosives. Ukrainian forces have implemented a straightforward yet effective enhancement: steel cages wrapped around the tank’s frame.

According to The Hill, Ukrainian officials have reported that this retrofit has proven highly successful, not only improving the protection of the Abrams but also benefiting other US armored vehicles such as the Bradley. For the $10 million Abrams tanks, this relatively simple modification has been crucial in maintaining their operational presence on the battlefield.

The 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade, an elite unit engaged in frontline combat, emphasized to The Hill that “protective screens for combat vehicles like the Abrams and Bradleys are essential for preserving both costly equipment and the lives of soldiers.” They noted that while the Abrams is a top-tier tank, it is not immune to threats such as anti-tank missiles and drones.

Olexander Myronenko, Chief Operating Officer of Metinvest and supporter of the Steel Front initiative, stated that the steel screens are effective at absorbing impacts and increasing tank survivability by approximately 35 percent. The screens, which can withstand one hit before needing replacement, provide crucial protection by mitigating the damage from drones and explosives.

Steel Front’s screens are specifically designed to protect against attacks from unmanned aerial systems, which have become a significant threat on the battlefield. Russian drones, particularly kamikaze-style FPV drones, have targeted tanks by aiming at critical components such as the engine or turret. The steel cages create a buffer that reduces the impact on the tank’s main armor.

The demand for Abrams tanks in Ukraine intensified after Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials urging the US for support. In January 2023, the Biden administration agreed to provide 31 Abrams tanks, which were delivered by September 2023.

However, shortly after their arrival, reports emerged indicating that some Abrams tanks were removed from the battlefield due to damage from Russian drones. An Associated Press report in April revealed that five tanks had been lost to drone attacks.

The Steel Front initiative, which has also retrofitted Soviet T-72 and Ukrainian T-64 tanks, addressed the specific vulnerabilities of the Abrams exposed by FPV drones. By creating a steel cage that surrounds critical areas of the tank, the initiative aims to enhance the Abrams' effectiveness and protect it from modern threats.

So far, 25 Abrams, along with 100 Soviet tanks and 75 Bradleys, have been fitted with these enhancements. The production of these cages began in May and continued through June, with each installation taking up to 12 hours and each steel cage costs approximately $20,000 to produce.

According to Myronenko, the upgraded tanks have made a notable impact, increasing their survivability and effectiveness on the battlefield. Feedback from the field has been positive, with requests to continue the production of these protective enhancements.

Watch More About Abrams in Ukraine