Battles on modern battlefields often come down to more than raw firepower.
Ingenuity and advanced engineering can be just as crucial.
In a dramatic encounter on the front lines in Ukraine’s Kursk region, a Ukrainian Abrams tank crew survived a series of drone attacks, demonstrating both the vehicle's resilience and the crew's resourcefulness.
Recent footage shared online shows Russian FPV drones targeting the U.S.-made Abrams tank operated by Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade.
Over two minutes, the tank endured four to six direct hits. One drone became entangled in the tank's anti-drone mesh, while two others missed entirely, according to Digi24.
Despite repeated attempts to breach the Abrams’ engine and armor, the tank’s reactive armor blocks and grid protections held firm, frustrating the attackers.
Not Possible With Russian Tank
Rob Lee from the Foreign Policy Research Institute and Michael Kofman of Carnegie Endowment for International Peace interviewed the tank’s commander.
He described the event as a testament to the tank’s robust design, which outperformed what would have been expected of Soviet-designed T-series tanks under similar conditions.
“The Abrams is remarkable for this reason. Such survival would be impossible with a [Russian/Soviet] T-series tank,” the commander explained, crediting its advanced features and adaptability.
The crew eventually abandoned the heavily damaged tank but emerged unscathed.
Their survival was attributed to their proactive efforts to equip the Abrams with customized defenses, enhancing its already formidable protection.
The tank’s current fate remains uncertain, with reports suggesting it may have been further targeted or possibly captured.
The incident underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare, where drones pose a growing threat on the battlefield.
The commander also talked about the need for further protective measures and rigorous training.
He pointed out the importance of preparation provided by U.S. instructors, which was instrumental in navigating such a perilous encounter.
