POKROVSK, UKRAINE—Even as tanks help Ukraine push into Russia, armies are rethinking how the powerful vehicles are made and deployed after a recent history of being humbled in combat.
Tanks were once the king of the battlefield. But the proliferation of drones in Ukraine means the large, noisy vehicles can be spotted and targeted within minutes. That has seen dozens of cutting-edge Western tanks used only sparingly in the battle they were meant to shape, while others have been damaged, destroyed or captured.
In response, armies are adding technology to tanks to spot and protect against drones while also exploring design changes to make the heavy, armored vehicles more maneuverable. Battlefield tactics are already changing and lessons from Ukraine are being integrated into training.
“In the near term, we absolutely need to urgently make some adjustments to maintain the survivability of our armored formations,” said Gen. James Rainey, who heads the U.S. Army […]
Never forget that this is a form of war that the United States pioneered in Afghanistan in order to save the lives of our troops. It was escalated just for that reason by Obama. Did it serve it’s purpose? Undoubtedly, yes. However, for those who recall those times we also blew up many wedding parties, tribal gatherings, and social events in our mistaken intelligence. This type of war is here to stay and it will be civilians who pay the price, just as they are doing in Gaza. Remember it was the American government who started the ball rolling with zero restrictions. So, if you’re inclined to whine about it in the next few years don’t forget who started the “drone wars”.