German magazine Merkur has highlighted the unsuitability of American Abrams tanks for combat operations in the Ukrainian conflict. Western analysts have long been aware of this fact, as these tanks possess certain characteristics that make them unfit for use in battles on Ukrainian soil.
According to the publication, one such characteristic is the tanks’ excessive weight, which poses a significant risk of damaging bridges in Ukraine if they were to pass over them. Additionally, the authors of the article note that Abrams tanks have high fuel consumption, which could pose logistical challenges for Ukrainian forces in sustaining these machines during ongoing military operations.
“Some Western experts and Ukrainian officials believe that the current volumes, timelines, and logistical issues will not allow for the desired effect to be achieved in Ukraine,” the article states.
The authors also point out that the delivery of Abrams tanks to the conflict zone came too late. With the approaching muddy season and subsequent winter, these tanks will no longer be able to assist the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in improving their position on the front lines, as concluded by journalists.
Earlier, it was revealed that the long-range ATACMS missiles provided to Ukraine proved ineffective due to the resistance from the Russian Armed Forces.