Exclusive Report: Ukraine upgrades U.S. M1A1SA tanks after armor weaknesses exposed on Ukrainian battlefield.

Following recent pictures published on social networks, in August, 2025, Ukrainian forces have begun applying field upgrades to U.S.-donated M1A1 SA Abrams tanks, equipping them with explosive reactive armor (ERA) and improvised anti-drone structures to address critical protection gaps. The modifications come in response to mounting losses attributed to new battlefield threats such as FPV kamikaze drones, loitering munitions, and top-attack anti-tank guided missiles which have exposed the vulnerabilities of the base M1A1 SA configuration in the Ukrainian theater.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Ukrainian-upgraded US M1A1 SA Abrams tank fitted with Kontakt-1 ERA blocks and turret cage armor to counter modern battlefield threats including drones and top-attack munitions. (Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

A total of 31 M1A1 SA Abrams tanks were delivered to Ukraine by the United States in late 2023 as part of a military assistance package aimed at strengthening Ukrainian armored capabilities. However, Ukrainian soldiers operating the tanks reported that the vehicles, while mechanically reliable and effective in traditional engagements, lacked sufficient protection against modern asymmetric threats. Most notably, the original M1A1 SA does not feature an active protection system, reinforced turret roof armor, or any dedicated anti-drone defense measures. These limitations left the tanks highly vulnerable to top-down attacks and precision strikes from relatively low-cost unmanned aerial systems now proliferating across the battlefield.

The M1A1 SA is an export-standard variant based on the U.S. Army’s M1A1 platform, originally developed for large-scale mechanized warfare during the Cold War. It retains a powerful 120mm smoothbore gun and robust frontal composite armor but lacks some of the key survivability features of newer Abrams variants. Most notably, the version delivered to Ukraine does not include depleted uranium armor inserts or reactive armor kits which leaves the tank vulnerable to tandem-charge warheads and shaped charges. The side skirts and turret flanks provide only limited resistance to modern anti-tank guided missiles while the engine compartment and turret roof remain exposed to drone strikes and loitering munitions.

These structural weaknesses became apparent in combat where Ukrainian tank crews experienced losses from threats that bypassed traditional frontal armor by attacking from above or the rear. The vulnerability of the M1A1 SA in the face of these new-generation threats highlighted a critical need to reinforce its protection levels with modern solutions. The realities of the Ukrainian battlefield proved that even a tank as capable as the Abrams cannot survive without adaptations tailored to the current threat environment. The M1A1’s armor, designed for the threats of past decades, is no longer adequate without further enhancements.

To address these weaknesses, Ukrainian engineers and frontline tank crews have installed Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor modules on the U.S. M1A1 SA tanks. ERA is a form of modular armor designed to neutralize the effects of incoming shaped-charge warheads. It consists of explosive-filled metal tiles that detonate outward when struck by a high-explosive anti-tank projectile, disrupting the penetrating jet before it can pierce the base armor. Kontakt-1, developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s, is one of the earliest generations of ERA and is effective at reducing the impact of single-charge HEAT warheads although it offers limited protection against newer tandem-warhead designs and kinetic energy penetrators.

The application of Kontakt-1 bricks to the hull front, side skirts, turret cheeks, and even the turret roof represents a pragmatic adaptation by Ukrainian forces to compensate for the M1A1 SA’s lack of modular protection. In addition to ERA, Ukrainian crews have installed cage armor on the turret roof and rear engine deck to protect against aerial drone strikes, creating a layered defense system more suited to current combat conditions. While these modifications add considerable weight to the vehicle and introduce logistical challenges, they significantly improve survivability in a drone-dominated battlespace.

This field-driven upgrade initiative sends a strong signal to U.S. and NATO military planners. The combat experience in Ukraine demonstrates that even advanced Western main battle tanks require continuous evolution in protection systems to counter emerging threats. The vulnerability of the M1A1 SA has revealed a clear need for the U.S. Army to reevaluate its legacy fleet and consider integrating new-generation protection packages including roof-mounted ERA, active protection systems, and modular drone-defense solutions.

The battlefield in Ukraine has become a proving ground not only for tactics and strategy but for the technology that underpins survivability. The Ukrainian modification of the M1A1 SA Abrams stands as both a lesson and a warning that future armored warfare will be defined by the ability to adapt to threats that no longer come from the front but from the skies above.