Abrams tank crew survives FPV drone attack in Kursk region

Defense Express discussed the topic.

Recently, footage emerged showing multiple FPV drones targeting an Abrams tank operated by Ukraine's Defense Forces in the Kursk region. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and Michael Kofman from the Carnegie Endowment, interviewed the tank commander from the 47th Brigade to uncover details of the incident.

Remarkably, the tank crew survived and managed to retreat despite enduring 4-6 direct drone strikes within approximately two minutes. One drone got stuck in the anti-drone netting, and two others missed their target. The drones appeared to aim for the engine, but they failed to penetrate the tank’s turret or hull.

The tank was equipped with an anti-drone cage and dynamic protection blocks, designed based on analyses of previous drone strikes. These enhancements likely saved both the tank and its crew.

“This is why the Abrams is remarkable. A T-series tank wouldn’t have withstood this,” the commander remarked. Despite eventually abandoning the damaged Abrams, the crew escaped unharmed. However, the tank's current fate remains unclear, with the possibility that it could fall into Russian hands.

The commander praised the Abrams for its performance but stressed the urgent need for additional defenses, including anti-drone netting and dynamic armor. These upgrades, he explained, were instrumental in ensuring their survival during the attack.

“We were allowed to install protection as we saw fit. We analyzed everything, worked tirelessly, and that effort ultimately saved our lives,” the commander said, noting that the added weight of the protection blocks is not a problem for the tank.

The Ukrainian Abrams were supplied without depleted uranium armor.

The commander also shared insights into their training with U.S. instructors, describing the “luxury” of firing practices, with each gunner conducting around 100 shots. However, he highlighted a gap in understanding modern battlefield threats, particularly nighttime FPV drones.