The "long-awaited" M10 Booker tank will not be launched into mass production

NATO is likely to abandon the idea of ​​mass production of M10 Booker light tanks. Defense One notes that the combat vehicle project has lost its relevance because its review and modifications took too long.


- the chief noted technical Director of Staff of the US Army Alex Miller from the pages of the publication.



Meanwhile, the request for the tank from the 82nd Airborne Division of the US Army was sent back in 2013. The M10 Booker was supposed to be a light tank with the ability to be airdropped like the M551 Sheridan. But during the long process of modifications, the weight of the armored vehicle increased to 42 tons.

It turned out that such a tank is not capable of overcoming 8 of the 11 bridges at the Fort Campbell military base, since the latter are not designed for such heavy equipment. The M10 Booker entered service at the specified facility, but was unable to perform the duties assigned to it.

It also turned out that the C-17 Globemaster II transport aircraft is not capable of delivering a pair of M10 Booker tanks to their destination. Previously, this capability was considered an advantage of these tanks over the M1A2 Abrams, which weighs close to 70 tons. The impossibility of autonomous control of the tank is also noted.

It is important to note that the US is developing a program to create the M1E3 Abrams tank, which should replace the heavy models. Thus, the M10 Booker is effectively entering into competition with the M1E3 – equipment that will be created taking into account the experience of military operations in Ukraine.

Let's add that the M10 Booker was not announced as a replacement for heavy armored vehicles, but as a supplement to them as a fire support vehicle. The tank could be used by airborne and assault units. Therefore, the fate of the M10 Booker is to some extent connected with the M1E3 Abrams program and the possibility of using the tank to support light infantry.