Receiving many new tanks from the West, will Ukraine make a difference?

(PLO)- Ukraine is about to receive hundreds of battle tanks from the US, France, Germany and the UK, which will help Kiev troops strengthen their defense and combat capabilities on the battlefield.

According to the military page of the Council on International Relations (CFR), from the beginning of January, Germany, the US, France and most recently the UK announced that in the near future these countries will provide many battle tanks to Ukraine to help Kiev troops resist the attacks of Moscow troops.

According to military observers, this move will help Ukrainian troops strengthen their defenses, boost their combat capabilities and help them make many breakthroughs on the battlefield.

What will the West send to Ukraine?

Theo CFRWestern countries such as the US, France, Germany, and the UK will send many combat vehicles to the Ukrainian army. These vehicles are mostly light tanks, they are small, light armored fighting vehicles that move faster than main battle tanks.

Marder infantry fighting vehicle on a floating bridge in the state of Saxony, eastern Germany. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Accordingly, most of these tanks have less armor and are equipped with a main gun with a smaller barrel than armored tanks. Ukrainian troops are expected to use these light tanks for a variety of purposes, including operations, reconnaissance, defense and counterattacks from the enemy.

Specifically, in a statement on January 4, French President Emmanuel Macron said that within the next two months, Paris will send AMX-10 RC light battle tanks to Ukraine to support Kiev forces against the the attack of the Moscow army, according to the news agency AFP.

According to the French Ministry of Armed Forces, the Paris-made AMX-10 RC is a highly mobile armed reconnaissance vehicle that can carry up to four people. AFP reported that so far it is not clear how many tanks Paris will deliver to the Ukrainian army.

After the French announcement, on January 6, the US announced that in a new aid package worth more than 3 billion USD for Ukraine, Washington will send the Kiev army 50 Bradley light tanks and 250,000 25mm artillery shells specifically for the Ukrainian army. this type of tank, according to the news agency Archyde.com.

Assistant to US Deputy Defense Secretary Laura Cooper said that the tanks that the US sent to Ukraine could help Kiev troops improve their ability to operate in a variety of terrain and weather conditions, especially in the battlefield. east and south. In addition, Ms. Cooper said that the Bradley armor also helps the Ukrainian army strengthen its defense capabilities and increase the mobility of its infantry on the battlefield.

In addition to the two countries, on the same day, on January 6, Germany also announced that it would transfer to Ukraine a battalion of Marder infantry fighting vehicles, equivalent to about 40 units, and Patriot air defense missile complexes from the army’s arsenal. this country team, Archyde.com news.

Recently, on January 14, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the London government would deliver 10 Challenger II battle tanks to Ukraine. By page Sky NewsThis move of the UK is aimed at prompting many Western countries to increase their aid to Ukraine with battle tanks, which Kiev troops desperately need to defend against Russian attacks.

Will these tanks help Ukraine make things on the battlefield?

Theo CFRin order to clarify whether Western-supported tanks would be of help to the Kiev army, it is necessary to consider the main criteria in combat, including tactics and strategy.

Receiving many new tanks from the West, will Ukraine make a difference? photo 2

American Bradley tank during an exercise with Germany in May 2022. Photo: DEFENSE NEWS

At the tactical level, the addition of more light armored battle tanks will help Kiev forces increase mobility and defense for infantry forces. Accordingly, all of the above tanks can be used in all weather and terrain conditions, and they also help the Kiev army respond faster to changing situations on the battlefield.

In addition, depending on the weapons that the West provides, the light tanks can provide independent fire, which is a necessary condition for the Kiev army to defeat the armored Russian tanks. For example, the Bradley fighting vehicle is equipped with a tube-launched anti-tank guided missile (TOW) system with optical guidance, which can therefore be used against enemy armor. direction.

In terms of combat, the Ukrainian army is CFR assessed as proficient in armed coordination in combat. This means that the Kiev troops can effectively synchronize their groups of troops, including infantry, artillery, engineer and air force, to work together to achieve common goals.

Theo CFR, new Western-supplied systems will add a combined armament capability to the Ukrainian army. However, this may not happen anytime soon, as these aid packages have not reached Ukraine immediately, and Kiev forces also need time to train in logistics, maintenance and repair work. with suppliers, before putting these weapons into combat.

In terms of defense, these tanks will provide the Ukrainian army with a mobile defense against Russian air and missile attacks. This can protect Ukrainian ground forces on the battlefield and improve the defense of Ukrainian military units against unexpected air attacks from the enemy.

Meanwhile, on the Russian side, CFR stated that Moscow forces will probably increase the number of soldiers and increase armament of the army. In addition, the Russian army may also change the tactics and combat skills of its soldiers, if not before the number of tanks that Ukraine receives from the West, the Russian army may have to withdraw in some fronts. importance.