Tanks, tanks, and more tanks! (1 Viewer)

[Jon]

So we have the UK sending tanks, Germany, Switzerland (a historically neutral country) and now the US. Will Ukraine have enough new military heavy weaponry to kick the Russians out?

As a side note, it was a painful watch to see Biden accidently saying Ukraine's aggression, slurring, and then some weird stuff about it being President Zelensky's birthday today, December. Sorry Joe, its nearly February!

 

[ebs17]

Switzerland? No.

Will Ukraine have enough new military heavy weaponry to kick the Russians out?

Are 100 tanks enough against the supposed 2000 of the Russians?

 

[Jon]

Switzerland? No.

Looks like one report I saw over-egged the pudding. They are looking into it.

Swiss body proposes removing barriers to re-export arms to Ukraine

A Swiss parliamentary body proposed on Tuesday waiving a re-export ban that prevents ammunition it manufactures from being re-exported from another country to Ukraine.

www.reuters.com

 

[ebs17]

Switzerland has not approved the supply of Swiss-produced ammunition for the Gepard (anti-aircraft tank) because it is neutral. Those are just 30mm shells.

Neutrality is very comfortable when you're a small island surrounded by NATO countries.

 

[Pat Hartman]

The Swiss made a lot of money during WWII with their "neutrality".

 

[Steve R.]

Are tanks obsolete?
Consider the ability of satellites (to detect), drones, and anti-tank missiles; the tank's supposed invincibility may be severely diminished, not that they won't help.

Another concern, is the Abrams tank. My understanding is that it is extremely complex. It may have done very well against a foe that is technologically inferior, but how well would it do against against a foe who is (more or less) a technological equal? The point that wish to make is that combat equipment needs to be: 1) considered expendable 2) cheap to replace 3) Easy to fix, and 4) quick to construct. The Abrams tank may not meet that criteria. The article below is not very good, but may provide some thoughts.

MSN

www.msn.com

 

[Jon]

My limited understanding is that tanks are offensive weapons. How else do you penetrate enemy lines without incurring huge troop casualties? But they are not an isolated solution. Instead, they are part of a jigsaw of elements that comprise an offensive operation. I've been watching some YouTube videos on it.

Tanks can be destroyed, but troops without tanks running towards an enemy are much more likely to get destroyed.

 

[Steve R.]

My limited understanding is that tanks are offensive weapons. How else do you penetrate enemy lines without incurring huge troop casualties? But they are not an isolated solution. Instead, they are part of a jigsaw of elements that comprise an offensive operation. I've been watching some YouTube videos on it.

Tanks can be destroyed, but troops without tanks running towards an enemy are much more likely to get destroyed.

All very true. Tanks, in today's environment, need to be protected with "air" defense capabilities. Not necessarily on the tank itself, but in very close proximity as part of the jigsaw solution.

 

[AccessBlaster]

Sounds like they will need air defense next, A10 warthogs? Only a matter of time before one of these "contractors" gets killed and poof there goes the illusion of anonymity.

 

[Pat Hartman]

Did Germany declare war on Ukraine?

 

[Steve R.]

Did Germany declare war on Ukraine?

No. See the article below. I wonder if the German Foreign Minster actually meant that or if was supposed to be more figurative.

German Foreign Minister Declares ‘We Are Fighting a War Against Russia’

In a stunning statement, Germany's Foreign Minister declared that her country and Europe as a whole is in a "war against Russia" in Ukraine.

www.breitbart.com

 

[ebs17]

Ukraine is a country on the road to democracy and Europe (western values). It was invaded by Russia to eliminate this "bad" example on Russia's borders, as a country, as a people, as a culture. Why should Europe declare war on Ukraine when it is also fighting for Europe and freedom? Because of its bad and burdened past, Germany is much more pacifist than many other countries. It would never declare war on another country on its own, but would only do so in conjunction with the other NATO countries. And there the leading power is the USA.