![]() ![]() These assumptions led the West to initially provide only simple, defensive weapons. Nevertheless, the decision represents increasing Western confidence in Ukraine, and an increasing tolerance for risk in supporting its effort to reverse Russia’s aggression.Įarly in the war, Western countries were guided by two assumptions: that Ukraine would-probably sooner than later-succumb to Russia’s invasion, and that Western military assistance risked an escalation with Russia, which might easily spin out of control. The decision by Western countries to send tanks to Ukraine is a welcome one, but tanks-at least in their current numbers-will not change the course of the war. For Western tanks to affect the war’s outcome, the West needs to send more of them, Ukraine needs to use them as part of a combined arms team, and it must develop the capability to logistically support them.Russia will struggle to upgrade its own tank contingent in Ukraine to offset the new capability Western tanks will provide.The decision by Western governments to send tanks-the premier ground offensive weapon of modern armies-represents greater Western confidence in Ukraine.Although Western tanks are qualitatively superior to Russian tanks fighting in Ukraine, they will only affect the outcome of the war if they arrive in sufficient numbers, are used effectively, and are supported properly.I argued that if tanks – still the most efficient way of maximising the holy trinity of armoured warfare: firepower, protection and mobility – could be removed from the battlefield visually, thermally, electronically and tactically, there was a future for Churchill’s “landships”.įast forward a few years, and a leap or two in technology, and the debate is still raging over whether these lumbering beasts have any place on the front lines of a modern war. We were asked to explore the possible future utility of the tank, given the numerous and innovative ways they could be rendered redundant on the modern battlefield. One day, the Commanding Officer demanded from us young bucks an essay about our chosen military careers in armoured warfare. I was guided in this task by my ever-patient and all-knowing Troop Sergeant, “Prof” Henderson – so named because he had an A level. In 1994, I was an excitable young cavalry officer trying to get to grips with the three tanks that the Queen had just issued me. ![]()
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