1st Assault Regiment Receives Abrams Tanks, Upgrades Protection for Front Line Use

The 1st Separate Assault Regiment has received US-made Abrams tanks and is adding extra protection.

The regiment demonstrated how it installs protective “grilles” on the tanks.

The Abrams hull and turret also feature Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor blocks to improve protection.

These blocks are designed to disrupt a shaped-charge jet before it penetrates the main armor.

In addition, the regiment installs metal anti-drone spikes on the vehicles to stop drones before impact.

“Tanks, armored personnel carriers and MRAPs are being fitted with custom protection adapted to changes on the battlefield. Strong armor means a surviving crew and landing force, and therefore a completed mission. Those who adapt survive and move forward,” the regiment reported.

Ukraine has several dozen Abrams tanks. In 2023, the United States started transferring 31 M1A1 SA-UKR tanks.

On October 17, 2024, Australia announced the transfer of M1A1 Abrams tanks from its inventory to Ukraine.

In December 2025, the M1A1 Abrams tanks supplied by Australia received additional anti-drone protection and took part in fighting near Pokrovsk.

They also receive a localized control panel inside, which should reduce training time for Ukrainian tank crews, most of whom do not speak English.

In total, Australia has transferred 49 M1A1 tanks to Ukraine, which the Australian Army used from 2007 to 2024 as part of two armored regiments.

Poland can repair these tanks for Ukraine. Recently, Polish company Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne expanded its Abrams repair capacity by opening a new production site.