Washington pledged 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine in January last year. The first batch arrived in September. They finally appeared to make their combat debut in February this year, with the first video footage released on the 25th of Februray. On the 26th, the Russians scored their first Abrams kill.
Two months after entering service, the Abrams tanks are now being withdrawn from the frontline. Five of the 31 tanks delivered last year have already been destroyed.
The Ukraines are misusing the tanks.
Its ability to maneuver at high speed and pack a huge punch gives it a battle winning role.
When used as a pillbox however, it just exploits its firepower at the expense of its maneuverability. This appears to be how the Ukrainian armed forces are deploying it, and makes it very vulnerable to drone attack.
Ukraine must adopt a mindset based much more on manuvre type warfare, where rapid combined arms action can unhinge and dislocate the very static Russian invaders. This will require require air power, artillery and infantry all working together with the tanks to punch holes in Russian defenses and run riot in the rear areas.
