Abrams, Leopards, Challengers, and Soviet Legacy Vehicles: What Tanks Are Used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine?

The backbone of Ukraine's tank arsenal comprises Soviet-era tanks, including the T-72 and T-80. Western tanks were not sent to Ukraine after the war with Russia began in 2014. They only appeared after the full-scale invasion and lengthy negotiations with partners like the US, the UK, and the European Union. This transformed the landscape of Ukraine's heavy weaponry. Ukraine now operates a diverse array of tanks, whereas Russia primarily uses Soviet models and upgraded versions of older designs.

Western tanks are supplied in limited numbers but support defense and offensive operations. Additionally, former socialist bloc countries, such as Poland, have contributed their old Soviet-era tanks to Ukraine. 

Soviet Tanks

Soviet-era tanks remain the core of Ukraine's tank arsenal, including models such as:

• T-72

• T-80

• T-84

Ukraine primarily used T-72 variants and newer versions. Over the past two years, Poland and several Eastern European countries have transferred refurbished and modified T-72 and T-80 tanks to Ukraine, with hundreds arriving in total.

These remain the most numerous combat vehicles in the Ukrainian arsenal.

Advantages of Soviet tanks:

1. Ukraine already had personnel trained to operate these tanks, along with established training programs.

2. The country had the infrastructure to repair and upgrade these models.

3. Damaged Russian tanks of the same series could serve as spare parts donors or even be repaired and redeployed by Ukraine.

Drawbacks: These tanks are often outdated, and Ukraine aims to replace them with European and American models that use modern ammunition calibers.

British Challenger 2

The United Kingdom was the first Western partner to announce the transfer of battle tanks to Ukraine. The Challenger 2, the UK's main battle tank, was deployed for national defense. In 2023, 14 Challenger 2 tanks were sent to Ukraine, with Ukrainian crews trained in the UK beforehand.

The UK also provided necessary maintenance kits and a substantial supply of spare parts.

German Leopard 1A5 and Leopard 2A(4s/6s)

The coalition supporting Ukraine’s tank needs primarily rallied around Germany's Leopard tanks, which are widely used across Europe. Two versions were delivered:

• Leopard 1A5 (an older model)

• Leopard 2A4s/2A6s (a more modern version)

Countries such as Germany, Spain, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Portugal sent over 100 modern Leopard 2A(4s/6s) tanks. These have been used to defend Ukrainian territory and during offensives in regions like the Kursk Oblast.

Additionally, hundreds of refurbished Leopard 1A5 tanks were sent to Ukraine. Despite their age—designed in the 1950s—these tanks remain a threat on the battlefield. A major advantage is the robust repair infrastructure across Europe and the availability of spare parts for these tanks.

American Abrams

The US has delivered 31 M1 Abrams tanks, the most widely produced American main battle tank. These tanks were part of a large aid package under the tank coalition. Abrams tanks have already been used in combat, and the UNITED24 Media team has released a detailed video highlighting their pros and cons.

Australia has also announced the delivery of 49 M1 Abrams tanks, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. As Australia begins receiving newer Abrams models in 2024, it plans to transfer a significant batch of older-generation machines to Ukraine.

French AMX-10RC

The AMX-10RC is a lightweight combat vehicle primarily designed for reconnaissance and fire support. With relatively thin armor, it is unsuitable for intense combat. Another weak point is its wheels, which are vulnerable to powerful mines. France has sent a small number of these vehicles, and they have been used on the battlefield.

Ukraine’s Tank Challenges

Ukraine faces several challenges in acquiring tanks:

1. Partner countries have limited resources for supplying tanks. Europe itself is a major buyer due to potential threats from Russia.

2. Production capacities of European manufacturers are constrained and not scaled for mass tank production.

Ukraine could potentially receive more tanks from the US, which has thousands of older M1 Abrams in reserve. Another potential partner is South Korea with its K2 Black Panther tanks, but as of now, South Korea has not supplied weaponry to Ukraine.

While tanks alone do not decisively alter the battlefield, they remain a critical component of the war effort. They support both offensive and defensive operations, assisting infantry and artillery. However, the widespread use of FPV drones poses a significant threat to these machines. Nevertheless, tanks remain an essential element for pressuring enemy positions.