Why are Leopard-2, Abrams, and Challenger-2 tanks important to Ukraine and what will they change?

1. Availability of a large ammunition package of up to 120 mm guns in NATO warehouses. The 120 mm tank gun is widespread in the world, and there are plenty of stocks in the world, enough to last for a long time even with intensive use. This is the key reason why we need these tanks.

2. We are receiving a company of the most advanced Leopard-2A6 tanks with a modern automated fire control system, cooling thermal imaging sights and jam-proof communications. An automated control system that allows us to obtain maximum information about the Russian forces and our units. The use of sensors is supported by a reliable additional power unit. These tanks are among the best in the world in their class at the moment. Russia does not have tanks of this class, the Leopard-2A6 has significant advantages over the best Russian T-90M. It is a breakthrough in all major indicators. Other Leopards are not as modern but can be modernized.

"These tanks are among the best in the world in their class at the moment. Russia does not have tanks of this class, the Leopard-2A6 has significant advantages over the best Russian T-90M. It is a breakthrough in all major indicators. Other Leopards are not as modern but can be modernized"

3. Changing the tactics of using tanks. NATO tanks are not designed for high-speed "breakthroughs" into landings, they are much heavier, from 60 to 70 tons against 45 tons for Soviet-style tanks T-64, T-72, T-80, T-90. An attempt to use them in some kind of fast blitzkrieg like Soviet-style tanks will be doomed to failure because, without detailed reconnaissance of the terrain and routes, the tanks will simply get stuck. All forward with artillery support, on Donbas's black soil. NATO tanks are optimized for modern tactics of searching for and destroying Russia, and their crew works as a "hunter-killer." To detect and observe targets and hit them with a high-precision gun. Tanks are optimized for destroying Russia in the most dangerous areas of the front. In NATO tanks, the crew can fight for a long time, there are much more comfortable conditions and the highest possible protection for people.

4. Change the system of operation and repair. This is a weak point of our army. NATO tanks are demanding professionals, they cannot be trusted with poorly trained tankers. If the operating conditions are violated, qualified crews and repair units are not trained, there are no spare parts and fuel and oil are "watered down," the tanks will quickly break down and get stuck with all their 60-70 tons. And it will be extremely difficult to evacuate such a behemoth, as we have few vehicles that could pull such a tank.

"NATO tanks are demanding professionals, they cannot be trusted with poorly trained tankers. If the operating conditions are violated, qualified crews and repair units are not trained, there are no spare parts and fuel and oil are "watered down," the tanks will quickly break down"

5. NATO tanks are best optimized for combat in modern network-centric warfare, for which the Russian army is not ready. When used in combination with effective tactical intelligence, drones, and high-quality command and control, Leopard tankers can quickly locate and engage any targets on the battlefield at direct fire range. These tanks may become real secure information hubs, which requires providing crews with the necessary level of situational awareness.

6. There are no absolute weapons. If the use of NATO tanks does not match their characteristics, they will be lost just like any other tank. The combat effectiveness and losses of NATO tanks depend on the quality of command and control at all levels, first and foremost. These are not Soviet or Russian weapons that were designed to be mass-produced. NATO tanks are weapons of qualitative superiority. With quality management and use, quality tanks will dominate the battlefield.

Source

About the author: Yuriy Butusov, journalist and soldier of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.