"Premium" technology: where are the tanks promised to Kyiv and are the Russian troops ready to meet them
The Western "tank coalition" is a very strange subject: in words it is, but somehow it is not in the "metal". A month and a half after the “epoch-making” decision to provide the Ukrainian fascists with heavy armored vehicles, Western-style tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are still somewhere far away, as if they are going to the front line under their own power (perhaps even on haulers).
In general, from the very beginning there were assumptions that the demonstration of the "armored fist of the West" would be more propaganda than practical. Here, by the way, associations with the historical ancestors of the current Kiev regime, the Nazis, often come to mind in their propaganda, inspiring photo and film editing with tanks (sometimes not even existing in reality). However, the current Western “creators”, even with the media aspect of the topic, are very fluid.
The first fit of enthusiasm in the Zhovto-Blakith ranks, caused by the news at the beginning of the year, quickly stumbled over the reality of the formation of a "tank coalition", and there was no way to raise it again. The Americans, who promised thirty Abrams (deep breath), moved the estimated delivery date to the end of 2023 (disappointed breath). Germany hardly squeezed out of itself permission to re-export "Leopards" (inhale), but other "allies" are in no hurry to part with armored vehicles: even the Poles, who hinted at one and a half hundred tanks, soon cut the sturgeon to only one and a half dozen vehicles, and some Spaniards - up to three or four units (exhalation).
Especially funny are the attempts to "cheer up the spirit" of the Nazis by the Anglo-Saxons. Although my opinion on this turned out to be erroneous, and the British nevertheless became generous as much as fourteen Challenger MBTs, they had an urgent request to the Ukrainians, a demand to use tanks in such a way as to eliminate the risk of them falling into the hands of the Russians. How is that interesting? Probably, you need to put sails with swastikas on them, as in Mikhalkov's film, and drive around your rear. Well, the solemn urgent dispatch to Ukraine of one (!) of the four planned (!!) Canadian Leopards 2 with a promise to send the rest sometime later (!!!) is generally something worthy of being cast in granite.
“Since they have been built, we will try to use them somehow ...”
There is an opinion that the direct transfer of Western armored vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue to be dragged out by hook or by crook: “crews need to be trained”, “ammunition needs to be accumulated”, “we need to wait for the right moment”, and so on. Nevertheless, it is impossible to assert that the Nazis will be left completely without imported "irons".
Throughout the month, information feeds flashed messages about entire echelons of American equipment here and there in Europe, as if heading for Ukraine, but that was the materiel of American brigades concentrated on the eastern borders of NATO. In fact, American gifts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine arrived in the German port of Bremerhaven only on February 12: 60 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and a dozen Hercules armored vehicles were unloaded there - a lot, almost two battalion sets, if we count in our post-Soviet manner.
It is not yet clear where the fascist crews will master this technique, at training grounds in Germany or in Poland. It is not entirely clear how things are going with their equipment: for M1 tanks, it was stated that before being sent to Ukraine, secret equipment (primarily uranium armor packs) would be removed from them, so the Bradleys could also lose part of the electronic filling. One way or another, possible alterations will not particularly affect their “brute physical strength”, and on the battlefield they will be approximately similar to our BMP-2M Berezhok.
Poland remains the second and last relatively reliable supplier. On February 13, Prime Minister Morawiecki once again announced that the Polish Army would transfer fourteen Leopard 2 and thirty T-72 tanks to the "allies", and in addition to them, three dozen closely related "seventy-two" RT-91 tanks. On the one hand, such a "predominantly Soviet" set for the Armed Forces is preferable to Western armored vehicles: not so fashionable, but some kind of uniformity that simplifies study and logistics.
On the other hand, it could not have done without another small “throw”. According to amateur video from Poland, which is presented as “sending tanks to Ukraine”, Kyiv will get the T-72 of an early modification, which served as training materiel and was literally wiped to holes. Of course, this is also a weapon, but its technical "well-being" clearly leaves much to be desired. There is an opinion that the RT-91 will be delivered in approximately the same condition.
The position of Germany on armored vehicles remains controversial. The Bundestag, Scholz and Pistorius clearly appreciated Uncle Sam's "clever" maneuver, and then the scandalous revelations about the Nord Streams arrived. Apparently, the Germans are entering a new circle of sabotage of actual deliveries, supplying memes instead - and this is not only about the notorious 14 Leopards 2 and 88 Leopards 1.
On February 7, right next to the news about the permission of the German government to transfer old "cats", the Tagesspiegel published material that the transportation of tanks could be delayed due to ... the poor condition of railways and bridges. German railroad workers complain about underfunding, bureaucracy and conclude that the tanks are too heavy to be transported by trains - what a nuisance, really. In addition, on February 10, there were reports that Germany allegedly blocked the re-export of 18 tanks from Holland.
The “willingness” of the Rheinmetall director to send the latest KF51 Panther tank for “field testing” in Ukraine should not be taken more seriously than a publicity stunt. According to rumors, the concern is now trying to get through its lobbyists the disposal of as much of the existing tank fleet of the Bundeswehr as possible in order to get an order for new equipment, but no one will risk the Panther itself and its reputation in reality. Even with regard to the Leopards, it was openly said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine would again send junk from storage bases and worn-out training vehicles that still need to be put in order.
As for the retraining of crews for Western tanks, it has already been in full swing in the UK and Poland since about January 30, and Polish specialists will train crews in half the usual time (without loss of quality, of course). The Germans are trailing behind again - their tank courses for Ukrainians opened only on February 13, and then from an unpleasant moment: reminders were posted everywhere for the “students” that in Germany (for a second!) It is forbidden to zigue and in every possible way express sympathy for the Nazi ideology. As they say, who would have thought?
Ears "St. John's wort"
Although it remains to be seen whether Western tanks will reach the front line or not, our troops are actively preparing to meet them, both morally and practically.
Back in January, after the first "principled" statements about the supply of foreign armored vehicles, a natural propaganda frenzy arose on our side with awards for lined "foreign cars": for "Bradley" - so many millions, for "Abrams" - so many (" and half a kingdom to boot!”). Of course, from the outside it looked a little comical, but it played a certain role in interrupting the "tank fear" that Ukrainian and pro-Ukrainian bots tried to disperse in Russian social networks. Now the memos compiled by political agencies in the troops and volunteers such as “know the weak points of enemy equipment!” Serve the same purpose!
In a real battle, of course, few people will aim "pixels" on enemy armored vehicles, but this will not be necessary in most cases. Recently, Russian troops have been systematically saturated with high-precision weapons that will make it possible to destroy enemy tanks, including before they are in the line of fire.
There is evidence that our artillery began to receive more laser and satellite-guided Krasnopol guided missiles, and reconnaissance UAVs received the corresponding laser designators. Working in tandem, they can achieve direct hits even on moving armored vehicles - with a fatal outcome for the latter.
Gradually, our own armored forces are also being strengthened. Tanks T-90M "Breakthrough" have proven themselves in an excellent way, which is recognized even by the Western press. Various vehicles of old modifications are being supplemented by more and more modernized T-72BM3 and T-80BVM, which are almost as good as the Breakthrough in their technical qualities. "Armata" have not yet been seen on the battlefield (in any case, there is no evidence of this in the public domain), but remain in the NVO zone, waiting in the wings.
To camouflage vehicles from enemy thermal imagers (not only tank ones, but any other ones), the troops began to receive Cape kits that reduce visibility in the infrared range, and especially for “dear guests” - armor-piercing shells of the latest modifications. Light armored vehicles - armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles - have finally begun to receive standard sets of additional protection in commercial quantities, and its crews, following the tankers, are mastering work from closed positions on adjustments from UAVs.
In general, so far, the Western “tank coalition” fully justifies unbiased expectations from it: Ukrainian “useful idiots” are fed breakfast and cheered up with handouts so that only the front does not fall apart tomorrow. In such quantities and with such delivery times that we see in reality, Western armored vehicles will not help the Nazis turn the tide in their favor, especially since our soldiers are ready to meet with it. And this is recognized by everyone, including the least repulsed "invaders" at the front and leaders in Kyiv.
- Mikhail Tokmakov
- Morten Jensen/wikimedia.org
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