On January 25, 2023, Bloomberg journalist Jennifer Jacobs, citing sources,

that the administration of US President Joe Biden decided to transfer 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

The cost of such assistance is 400 million US dollars.

During his speech at 19:00 (Kyiv time), Joe Biden

the intention of the US to transfer Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine.

History of creation

The M1 Abrams

is a third-generation main battle tank produced by the United States, which was named after General Creighton Abrams, who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and commanded the United States Armed Forces in Vietnam (1968-1972).

Abrams are considered well-armed, mobile armored combat vehicles and are designed to conduct combat operations in various conditions of modern warfare.

They entered service with the United States in 1980 and today remain the main battle tank of the United States.

It is assumed that the service life of the Abrams will be extended to 2050 in the United States.

There are three main versions of the tank:

.

They differ from each other in improved weapons, defense systems, and electronics.

Features of the M1 Abrams tank

M1 Abrams tanks are constantly updated.

Mostly they are trying to strengthen reservations and add new digital systems.

For example, in the M1A2 version, the commander has an independent thermal sight and a new generation of uranium armor.

Taking into account the experience of the war in Iraq, special kits began to be installed on tanks so that battles could be fought in the city.

A machine gun combat module with remote control was also added, some nodes and units were protected from ambush fire.

The most modern production version of the Abrams tank is the M1A2 SEPv3.

It is already possible to use air detonation shells, updated communication equipment and software.

A new generation NGAP armor set and a Trophy active protection complex were also installed to destroy enemy projectiles in mid-flight.

M1 Abrams: characteristics

• Weight:

  M1A1 — 57.15 tons;

  M1A2 — 61.3 tons

• Length:

  7,917 (with a gun — 9,766) mm

• Width:

  3,658 mm

• Height:

  2,885 mm

• Crew:

  4 people (commander, gunner, loader, mechanic-driver);

• Armor:

  Chobgem, multi-layered anti-missile composite armor reinforced with depleted uranium;

• Main armament:

  105-mm rifled tank gun M68 (from M1A1 — 120 mm smoothbore M256);

• Secondary armament:

  1×12.7-mm large-caliber M2HB machine gun or 2×7.62-mm M240 machine guns (1 turret, 1 twin);

• Engine:

  Honeywell AGT1500Z multi-fuel gas turbine engine 1500 hp.

  (1120 kW);

• Specific power:

  24.5 hp/t;

• Suspension:

  torsion Allison DDA X-1100-3B;

• Ground clearance:

  480 mm;

• Fuel tank capacity:

  1900 l;

• Operational range:

  410 km;

• Speed:

  on the highway — 67.6 km/h;

  on average terrain — 48.3 km/h.

American M1 Abrams vs Russian T-90

A comparative description of the M1 Abrams tank against the T-90 was made on

.

Caliber (comparison of tanks M1 Abrams vs T-90) / Photo: TSN.ua

Speed ​​(comparison of tanks M1 Abrams vs T-90) / Photo: TSN.ua

Weight (comparison of tanks M1 Abrams vs T-90) / Photo: TSN.ua

How much does one Abrams tank cost?

It is difficult to say for sure here, because everything depends on the modification.

However, it is indicated on the Internet that in 2012 the price for one tank was 8.58 million US dollars.