Ukraine’s hunter-killers
The U.S. is to supply its latest Abrams main battle tank to Ukraine. The M1 Abrams was initially developed for the U.S. military in the 1980s to counter the threat of Soviet-era T-72s

M1A2 Abrams

Crew: 4. Commander, loader, gunner, driver

Armament: 120mm smoothbore gun with range of up to 4,000m

Twin sights: Gunner and commander can detect targets out to 4km. As gunner destroys first target, commander can select next threat

12.7mm heavy machine gun

Filtered air vents

Armour: Reinforced with depleted uranium mesh

Fuel capacity: 1,885 litres in two forward and two rear cells

Powerplant: Honeywell multi-fuel, 1,500hp (1,118kW) gas turbine.

Top speed: 67km/h. Range: 425km


T-72/90 (upgraded T-72)

Crew: 3. Commander, gunner, driver

Gunner's sight: Thermal imaging can detect targets at up to 1.5km

12.7mm heavy machine gun

Armament: 125mm smoothbore with range of up to 3,000m

Gun can also fire Refleks anti-tank guided missiles, range of 4,000m

Armour: Explosive reactive panels

Powerplant: Multi-fuel, four-stroke V-12, 840hp (625kW) piston engine.

Top speed: 60km/h. Range: 500km


Sources: Global Security, PBS NewsHour, Military Today
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