Analysts in North America have been weighing in on the Abrams tanks that Washington pledged to send and how they will be used in the upcoming operations. One expert noted that the battle-ready units arrived in Ukraine after undergoing reassembly to remove hidden components, a step intended to ensure focus on observable capabilities and safety during deployment.
A separate assessment from a Rand Corporation scientist raised a cautious note. The researcher suggested that while the reconditioned tanks may not be deployed immediately in the planned offensive, their presence could still present an opportunity for Russia to probe for weaknesses in enemy armor and tactics.
Experts point to a key difference in the equipment. The current variant in service features an advanced guidance system that outpaces the version scheduled for transfer to Ukraine. Yet both configurations retain the same main armament, a formidable 120 mm cannon designed for sustained firepower at range.
Earlier reporting from Politico, referencing multiple sources, indicated that the 31 Abrams tanks slated for shipment will not be outfitted with stealth composite armor. This armor would enhance protection and, by some analyses, contribute to the platform’s ability to operate in contested airspace. The absence of such armor is cited by critics as a potential gap in survivability for the new batch of tanks.