Western Tanks vs Russian Armor: Who’s Winning?

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for over a year now with no end in sight. Amid this conflict, one of the most important factors is the type of tanks both sides use. On one side, Russia has advanced tanks developed over decades of research and development. Conversely, Ukraine has recently received donations from Western countries such as Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom. These donated tanks are typically more advanced than their Russian counterparts and could give Ukraine an edge in the war.

In order to understand how these two types of tanks compare, it is necessary to look at their strengths and weaknesses. The Russian tanks are well known for their durability and reliability. However, some lack advanced features on Western tanks, such as active protection systems (APS) or laser range finders (LRF). The APS system allows a tank to detect incoming threats before they reach it, while the LRF gives it greater accuracy when firing at targets.

Russian tanks have long been seen as some of the most powerful and advanced in the world. They are heavily armored and equipped with sophisticated weapons systems, making them formidable opponents on the battlefield. However, they also come with their own set of drawbacks. Russian tanks are expensive to maintain and operate, parts are hard to find, and they can be slow to respond to changing conditions on the ground.

On the other hand, Western-donated tanks offer many advantages over their Russian counterparts. These tanks are typically lighter, faster, and more maneuverable than their Russian counterparts. They also tend to be cheaper to maintain and operate, making them attractive options for Ukraine’s military forces. Additionally, these tanks come with modern weapons systems that can provide superior firepower compared to older models of Russian tanks.

The US has donated M1 Abrams tanks, M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine. The EU has provided Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, and T-72 main battle tanks.

In addition to these donations, Ukraine has purchased additional tanks from other countries, such as Turkey and Poland. These include the Turkish Altay main battle tank and the Polish PT-91 Twardy main battle tank. 

Western, Ukrainian Tanks in the Frontline

The M1 Abrams tank is one of the most iconic American tanks since those popularized during World War II. It was developed by the United States in 1980 and has since become the main battle tank of the US Army. The Abrams features a powerful 120mm main gun, advanced armor protection, and an advanced fire control system. Its superior mobility and firepower make it one of the most formidable tanks on the battlefield.

 The M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle is another iconic American armored vehicle. Developed by the United States in 1981, this replacement for the M113 was designed to provide infantry with a mobile platform for direct fire support. The M2 Bradley features a 25mm chain gun, a TOW missile launcher, and a 7.62mm machine gun. Its high speed and maneuverability make it an ideal choice for urban warfare scenarios.

The Leopard 2A4 main battle tank is German-made, developed in 1979, and is still in service today. This tank features an advanced 120mm smoothbore gun with an autoloader system allowing quick reloads during combat operations. Additionally, its composite armor provides excellent protection against most types of anti-tank weapons, while its advanced fire control system allows for accurate target acquisition even at long ranges. During the Cold War period, the Leopard 2A4 saw use on both Eastern and Western fronts due to its superior firepower and maneuverability compared to other tanks of its time period.

The Polish PT-91 Twardy main battle tank is a Polish-made tank developed in 1994 specifically for export markets. Several countries have adopted it due to its effectiveness on the battlefield. This tank features an advanced 125mm smoothbore gun with an autoloader system that allows quick reloads during combat operations and enhanced armor protection against most anti-tank weapons. In contrast, its advanced fire control system allows for accurate target acquisition even at long ranges. 

Finally, there is also the Ukrainian Oplot main battle tank, which was developed in 1999 specifically for export markets but has since been adopted by several countries, including Ukraine, due to its effectiveness on the battlefield. This tank features an advanced 125mm smoothbore gun with an autoloader system that allows for quick reloads during combat operations as well as enhanced armor protection against most types of anti-tank weapons while its advanced fire control system allows for accurate target acquisition even at long ranges, making it one of the deadliest tanks available during this era.

Advantages in War

Western-donated tanks offer many advantages over their Russian counterparts when it comes to fighting in Ukraine’s current conflict with Russia. These tanks provide superior firepower compared to older models of Russian tanks while also being more cost-effective than their heavier counterparts from Russia. 

When it comes to military strategy, there are several ways that Ukrainian forces can use these western-donated tanks effectively against Russia’s forces. For example, Ukrainian forces could use these tanks as part of a defensive line against advancing Russian troops or as part of an offensive strike against enemy positions. Additionally, these tanks could be used as part of a mobile force that could quickly respond to changes on the ground or launch surprise attacks against enemy targets.

The Western-donated tanks also have some advantages over their Russian counterparts. For example, they are equipped with modern fire control systems that allow them to target enemy positions even in poor visibility conditions accurately. They also have better armor protection, making them less vulnerable to enemy fire. Additionally, these tanks are equipped with more powerful engines, which give them impressive speed and maneuverability on the battlefield.

The Russian tanks used in the Ukraine-Russia war were mainly T-72s, which were designed and first built by the Soviets. However, since February 2022, Ukraine has received many T-72s from Poland in addition to Western-donated tanks, such as the M1A2 Abrams and Leopard 2A4.

These tanks have been instrumental in defending Ukrainian forces against Russian aggression, with Ukrainian soldiers using anti-tank Javelin missiles to remove Russian tanks hanging out aimlessly in open fields. In fact, it is estimated that Russia’s army has lost nearly 40% of its prewar number of tanks after nine months of fighting in Ukraine.

Tensions remain high between the two countries, with burned-out Russian tanks seized by Ukrainian forces last year going on display in the capitals of the Baltic states. Despite this, Ukraine now has more armor than Russia due to captured vehicles, including 122 tanks, according to the Oryx monitoring site.

Active Russian Tanks Used in the War

• T-14 Armata: The latest, 5th generation Russian main battle tank, accepted into service in 2014. It features a radical departure from previous designs and is considered the most advanced tank in the world.
• T-90: A third-generation Russian main battle tank that entered service in 1993 and is currently the most widely used tank by the Russian military.
• T-72: A Soviet second-generation main battle tank introduced in 1971 and still in use today.
• T-80: A Soviet third-generation main battle tank introduced in 1976 and still used by some Russian forces.
• T-64: A Soviet first-generation main battle tank introduced in 1967 and still used by some Russian forces.
• T-34: A Soviet medium tank manufactured in Kharkiv and designed by the Kharkiv Machine Building Design Bureau. It was introduced in 1940 and is still used by some Russian forces today.

Russians are at a disadvantage

When comparing these two types of tanks, it is clear that the Western-donated tanks have some distinct advantages over their Russian counterparts. However, there are still some areas where Russia’s technology may be superior such as its electronic warfare capabilities or its ability to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is also important to note that while these donated tanks may be more advanced than those used by Russia, they still require extensive training for crews in order for them to be effective on the battlefield.

In addition to looking at how these two types of tanks compare against each other, it is also essential to consider how they can be used strategically for Ukraine to gain an advantage over Russia in this conflict. One way would be for Ukraine to use its donated Western-style tanks as part of a larger defensive strategy to limit Russia’s ability to move freely across Ukrainian territory while simultaneously providing cover for Ukrainian forces on the ground. This could give Ukraine an edge over its adversary if appropriately executed.

Finally, it is worth noting that while these donated, Western-style tanks may provide a tactical advantage for Ukraine in this conflict against Russia, they cannot replace experienced military personnel who understand how best to utilize them on the battlefield.