(Dan Tri) – Although the US announced that it had transferred the M1 Abrams to Ukraine, up to now the tank line advertised by US and Western media as being able to change the battlefield has not officially entered the battlefield.
Russian T-90M tank confronts American M1A1 Abrams (Photo: Telegram).
Military observers are speculating about the possibility of a realistic clash between the modern US M1A1 Abrams main battle tank (MBT) and the `worthy opponent` T-90M Proryv.
Firepower: `Silver bullet` DU confronts AT-11 Sniper
The M1 Abrams tank is very famous for its undersized anti-tank bullets that use penetrating rods made from the famous compressed Uranium or DU (Depleted Uranium) alloy.
Because DU bullets penetrate kinetic energy, the destructive power will gradually decrease at large distances, the optimal effect is less than 2km, meeting the common combat requirements of the US Army with absolute superiority in air and ground forces.
The strength of the Russian tank is not the caliber larger than 125mm compared to the Abrams’ 120mm, but the weapons it is equipped with optimally for the ability to attack the enemy at long range.
This line of laser beam-based anti-tank missiles has an effective range of 4 to 6km.
With a warhead weighing 4.5 kg, if the Refleks missile cannot destroy American tanks, the consequences of the shock wave and fragments caused by the explosion can damage or destroy reconnaissance and communications equipment.
Thus, in a direct confrontation, Russian tanks will have the advantage thanks to their diverse attack options and can neutralize their opponents before they can counterattack.
US M1A1 tank destroyed in Iraq (Photo: Wikipedia).
Protection ability: T-90M is slightly better
In terms of protection capabilities that have been proven in practice, the T-90 tank and the upgraded T-90M variant clearly have an advantage over their opponents from the other side of the ocean.
The combined hard-soft armor system, including complex composite armor combined with Relic explosive reactive armor and Shtora-S active defense system, helps the T-90M tank have higher survivability compared to the armor structure.
In fact, in the fires of Syria and Ukraine, T-90 tanks have also demonstrated their ability to protect against modern anti-tank missiles such as TOW and Javelin with very low damage.
On the contrary, Abrams tanks have less than perfect combat experience. In some conflicts such as Iraq, Yemen… they are still vulnerable to shoulder-mounted anti-tank firepower and anti-tank missiles.
In particular, the M1 Abrams version donated to Ukraine has had its Uranium alloy armor protection system reduced, so the vehicle’s survivability has also decreased significantly.
Russian T-90M tank destroyed in Ukraine (Photo: Telegram).
Maneuverability: The American `Iron Box`.
The nickname `flying tank` was given to the T-90 tank by Western military experts because of its excellent maneuverability in field terrain.
In fact, Soviet and Russian tank design thinking both focus on high mobility with compact design and low center of gravity, suitable for the vast terrain conditions of their countries, especially
This thinking is completely suitable to help tanks maneuver well on soft, muddy ground, which was a `specialty` to hold back powerful armies attacking Russia and the Soviet Union in the past.
With a total weight of only approximately 50 tons, the T-90M tank has demonstrated good mobility, even in harsh combat conditions in Ukraine.
As for the M1 Abrasm, this bulky tank, weighing nearly 70 tons, is not as maneuverable as its opponents, even though it is equipped with a powerful 1,500 horsepower gas turbine engine.
Communication – command system: Kiev only has M1 Abrams with reduced features
American and Western weapons are always highly appreciated for their ability to link data and share information to increase overall effectiveness, including the M1 Abrams tank.
In this aspect, the former Soviet Union and today’s Russia are somewhat behind, but they are gradually improving on later modern tanks such as the T-90 or T-14 Armata.
However, due to worries that the communication and command system on the Abrams tank could be secreted if it fell into Russian hands, the US may have removed this system from tanks aided to Ukraine.
Basically, the aid Abrams tank can only carry the body of this steel warrior, while the `soul` is the core technology that has been removed.
However, the actual performance of each tank line will depend on many other factors such as: Crew qualifications, combat coordination ability, as well as a bit of luck.
