IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

M1 ABRAMS TANK

28th January, 2023 Security

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context: United States President Joe Biden announced that he will send 31 state-of-the-art M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine to help its troops push back Russian forces. It is more powerful than many Soviet-era tanks.

Details:

  • The first M1 tank was manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 1978 and was delivered to the US Army in 1980.
  • It uses a powerful and complex turbine engine that produces 1,500 horse power and requires four persons to operate. The M1 tanks have a maximum speed of 67.5 kmph.
  • The Abrams is armed with a 120 mm main gun and .50 caliber and 7.62 mm machine guns. 
  • The US tank is among the most powerful in the world and could help Ukraine in the ongoing battle. In modern versions of the Abrams tank, layers of depleted uranium armour will provide substantial protection to those inside.

 

https://www.ndtv.com/feature/russia-ukraine-war-what-are-m1-abrams-tanks-and-why-they-matter-to-ukraine-5-point-explainer-3726669