Foreign Policy

Modern Tanks for Ukraine: How Effective Will They Be Against Russia?

BY SOFREP News Team

In the past year, the war in Ukraine has become one of the most prominent conflicts in eastern Europe.

Leopard 2 A7, German Army Training Centre, Munster 2015 (Source: Boevaya mashina/Wikimedia Commons)

The War Continues

In the past year, the war in Ukraine has become one of the most prominent conflicts in eastern Europe. As a result, many western nations have pledged to provide modern-made main battle tanks to counter Russian aggression. But what are the implications of these tank pledges for Ukrainian forces? How will they impact the ongoing war effort? Let’s explore Ben Barry’s take on this issue and what it may mean for Ukraine’s future.

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Barry is the Senior Fellow for Land Warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (ISS) and is an expert on modern warfare tactics. According to Barry, tank pledges from western nations can be highly effective in helping Ukraine gain an advantage over Russia. This is because tanks are still seen as powerful tools that can be used to suppress enemy fire and seize key terrain positions. Tanks have been used throughout modern warfare, and they remain a viable option today.

However, he believes that while tank pledges may be beneficial, they may need to be more robust to completely turn the tide of war on their own. He expresses his concern that the fight against this enemy will be won with more assistance. He suggests that there are more complex strategies that are needed to be done to ensure victory and secure a sense of safety and stability in the region. He also advocates for closer collaboration between different countries and global initiatives to support those affected by recent events. Recognizing these issues and taking proactive steps to address them can prevent a potentially disastrous conflict.

West’s Tank Pledges

These tank pledges could make a real difference in Ukraine if they are used with other resources, such as airpower, infantry, and intelligence-gathering capabilities. Tanks alone won’t win wars, but they can be critical components of successful military strategies combined with other resources. For example, using tanks to provide cover while infantry soldiers perform reconnaissance missions can help break through enemy lines or secure strategic zones. Similarly, airpower can be used to support ground operations by providing close air support and transport capabilities for troops and equipment.

At the same time, there are potential limitations to using tanks alone to win wars or even gain an advantage over enemies. For example, enemy forces may use anti-tank weapons such as rocket launchers or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to destroy tanks or block routes of advance. Additionally, tanks require large amounts of fuel and ammunition, which may not be readily available during prolonged combat operations. Finally, tanks provide little protection against aerial threats such as drones and fighter jets which could pose severe challenges during conflicts involving multiple countries with advanced air forces like Russian Air Force.

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M1 Abrams
M1 Abrams MBT in Fort Bend County Fair Parade (Source: Ed Uthman/Flickr)

As more countries pledge to supply modern-made combat tanks, this could make a massive difference in how Ukraine fares against Russia in this conflict—but only if these resources are used alongside other tools such as infantry units, intelligence gathering capabilities, close air support from aircraft, etc.

Ultimately it remains up to Ukrainian leaders whether or not these tank pledges will be put to good use so that their country can achieve victory against its enemies in this war-torn region.

Expedited Pledges

Last week, we saw a decisive moment in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia when Western Nations stepped up to showcase their support. Germany, the United States, and Britain have all placed pledges to supply modern-made main battle tanks like Leopard 2s and M1 Abrams. To fulfill their commitment, these countries are looking at sending armor and personnel to the eastern borders of Ukraine to help fight back against Russian aggression. The pledge from Poland has already been made concrete, as they sent a shipment of light armored vehicles straight away. With all these nations resolving to protect peace and security, Ukrainians can now be certain that they will not be alone in this war.

Tanks have been essential to many significant turning points in modern warfare, with their heavy armor and superior firepower allowing them to break through enemy lines that ordinary troops could not. In addition, tanks can deal with rugged terrain, providing a necessary punch and helping forces retake territory from entrenched opponents. Furthermore, tanks provide protective cover for soldiers as they inch toward their adversaries. And ultimately, for many veterans like us, tanks are among the most crucial battlefield assets for kicking off an offensive surge – proving time and again that there’s nothing quite like a tank when it comes to achieving military objectives.

How Tanks Made Critical Shifts During WWII

The tank has been an iconic weapon of modern warfare since its inception during World War I. Its formidable presence on the battlefield makes it a powerful tool that can suppress enemy fire and capture key terrain positions. During World War II, tanks were utilized by Allied forces to gain strategic advantages in battles such as the Battle of El Alamein and the Battle of Kursk.

At El Alamein, British forces deployed approximately 1000 tanks against German forces’ 250-500 tanks. This gave Allied forces a numerical advantage, allowing them to outmaneuver and overwhelm their Axis opponents. In addition, British artillery used smoke shells to mask their tanks from enemy fire, allowing them to flank and encircle enemy lines with relative ease. 

The Battle of Kursk was a significant turning point in World War II due to the sheer number of tanks involved; over 6000 German tanks massed against over 7000 Soviet tanks across a vast area encompassing 100 miles. Despite the sheer scale of this battle, it was still a victory for the Soviets due to their superior strategy and tactics surrounding tank usage. The Soviets employed a tactic known as “attrition warfare,” which involved drawing German forces into a large area and then covering them with overwhelming numbers of tanks so they could be eliminated piecemeal without allowing them time to regroup or mount counteroffensives. This strategy proved successful in debilitating German forces and ensuring victory for the Soviets at Kursk. 

Overall, these two pivotal battles demonstrate how effective tank strategy can be when employed correctly on the battlefield. While tanks may seem outdated compared to more modern weaponry, they remain powerful tools if used correctly; tactical superiority on the battlefield is often tied to an abundance of knowledge about proper tank utilization strategies such as those employed at El Alamein and Kursk by Allied forces during World War II.

SOFREP Concludes…

A well-executed tank battle strategy can greatly expedite Ukrainian military success against Russian forces. By studying the successful tactics used by Allied forces in battles such as El Alamein and Kursk during World War II, Ukrainians can gain a valuable understanding of proper tank utilization strategies which can be employed to outmaneuver their opponents and achieve battlefield victory. In addition, Ukraine should also focus on ensuring its tanks are able to inflict maximum damage on the enemy while minimizing its own losses. This can be accomplished through effective coordination of tank units, strategic positioning, and the use of artillery smoke shells to mask their movement from enemy fire. With an effectively implemented tank battle strategy, Ukraine has the potential to make great strides toward achieving success.

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