Comparing Survivability of M1A1 Abrams and T-90M Tanks in Ukraine Conflict
The debate over the survivability of M1A1 Abrams and T-90M tanks in Ukraine's conflict was recently sparked by a skewed analysis by an anonymous user, Singar Singharoy, who made numerous false claims and misleading conclusions. A robust response to their arguments is necessary for those genuinely interested in the subject.
Survivability of M1A1 Abrams
According to Singharoy, Ukraine received 31 M1A1 Abrams tanks in late January 2023, and by February, only five were destroyed over the subsequent two months. While it may seem concerning, losing 16 tanks in two months is a common occurrence in frontline combat, especially when facing a peer adversary. This loss rate has been consistent since tanks were first deployed and is often forgotten by internet experts due to the lack of conventional wars in recent decades.
Ukraine, recognizing the importance of repair and refit after active service, removed the Abrams from the frontline for maintenance and to allow exhausted troops to recover. Troop performance drops markedly after prolonged combat, necessitating rest and refit.
Performance of T-90M Tanks
Singharoy claimed that hundreds of T-90M tanks were deployed by Russia and that they were facing a significant threat from Javelins, NLAWs, and FPV drones. According to the available data, Russia has deployed a total of 220 T-90M tanks to Ukraine, with 52 confirmed losses and another 50 or so damaged. This number does not justify the disproportionately high loss rate of Abrams tanks, which saw 16 losses over two months of active service.
The total number of T-90M tanks in Ukraine is far from 'hundreds,' given that Russia started the war with 60, and over two years, managed to deliver around a dozen tanks every other month, factoring in attrition. It is estimated that the actual number of frontline service models has grown slowly from the original 60 to around 120, which does not justify the 12 times greater loss rate than the Abrams tanks.
Deployment Strategies
The argument that Abrams tanks are deployed sparsely and selectively for specific operations is misleading. Tanks are not deployed randomly or sparsely across the entire front. Abrams tanks were deployed as a single battalion to blunt the Russian advance around Avdiivka, where 16 were lost over two months, under conditions of ammunition shortage.
Furthermore, the claim that M1A1 Abrams are less survivable than T-90M due to drone attacks is incoherent. T-90M tanks, despite being in service since the start of the invasion, have suffered comparable losses to Abrams tanks, which were in Ukraine for ten months before their deployment. The survivability of tanks is not just about the enemy threat but also about defensive measures and the overall operational context.
Conclusion
The debate over tank survivability is complex and involves a multitude of factors, including defense technology, ammunition availability, and operational tactics. Claims that T-90M tanks are more survivable than M1A1 Abrams are highly misleading and ignore the actual combat conditions and operational realities.
Those interested in understanding the true nature of tank combat in Ukraine should consider the actual data and operational conditions rather than relying on internet-based speculation.