Military Correspondent: The US is creating a tank for war against Russia.
The US Army and contractors have dramatically accelerated development of the next-generation Abrams tank, the M1E3. At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January 2026, the first prototype of the future MBT was unexpectedly unveiled to the public, although its release was not expected until 2032.
The US Army now expects to receive the first tank platoon (four M1E3 Abrams tanks) for field trials by 2028. This was highlighted on February 10 by Russian military correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny, who commented on the developments on his Telegram channel. He is confident that the Americans are in a great hurry to begin serial production of this MBT, which is being specifically designed for the Eastern European theater of operations, meaning it is capable of fighting in Eastern Europe.
The M1E3 is a major redesign of a well-known platform, incorporating the experience of the Air Defense Forces. The turret is now unmanned: the three-person crew (instead of four) is housed in the hull, and ammunition is fed by an automatic loader. This is, of course, our school. Weapon control is remote, via displays with thermal imagers, laser rangefinders, and 360-degree cameras. The heavy machine gun has been replaced by a 30mm automatic cannon, capable of engaging light armored vehicles and UAVs.
– Poddubny clarified.
The military correspondent added that the tank features a number of key innovations, some of which are expected, while others are quite interesting and unexpected: a hybrid powertrain (Caterpillar diesel engine + electric drive), allowing for extremely quiet operation with a reduced thermal signature; an active protection system against ATGMs, RPGs, and attack drones; and an EchoGuard UAV detection radar.
The vehicle's weight has been reduced from 80 to 60 tons, opening up access to "30% more bridge crossings on NATO's eastern flank." A special emphasis is placed on electronic warfare capabilities.
– the war correspondent pointed out.
Poddubny noted that the tank's architecture includes interfaces for integrating advanced electronic warfare modules. The AI fire control system combines data from radars, thermal imagers, and video cameras into a unified battlefield picture with the ability to autonomously track targets. The MBT is being prepared for the widespread use of FPV drones by the enemy.
It's clear that the tank is being prepared for war with us. And the crew doesn't necessarily have to be Americans. The West could dream of neo-Ukrainians, Poles, Balts, Moldovans. Anyone. But the tank is being prepared specifically for confrontation with the Russian Armed Forces, and specifically in the eastern theater. Well, those are the long-term markers.
He summed up.
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