In other words, to destroy or neutralize enemy vehicles. 'Their role is to try to penetrate enemy defenses,' said Marc Chassillan, an engineer and specialist in land-based military weaponry.

They weigh between 55 and 65 tonnes and are composed of a very thick armor that makes them immune to a number of attacks. The Leclerc tank (French-made), the Leopard 2 (German-made), the Challenger 2 (British-made) and the M1 Abrams (American-made) are so-called 'heavy' tracked tanks, which are intended for high-intensity combat. Leclerc, Leopard 2, Challenger 2 and M1 Abrams: combat tanks German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (center) stands in front of a Leopard 2 battle tank of the German Armed Forces Bundeswehr during a visit to a training exercise at the Ostenholz military field in northern Germany on October 17, 2022. Leclerc, Leopard 2, Challenger 2, M1 Abrams, AMX-10 RC, Marder, Bradley: what are these machines that are wanted by Kyiv? What are their roles and tactical utilities? Can they help Ukrainian troops make a difference on the ground? Here is an overview. Read more Article réservé à nos abonnés War in Ukraine: European governments announce delivery of first tanks to Kyiv On January 14, the United Kingdom had already paved the way for the delivery of Western-made heavy weapons by announcing that it was sending 14 of its Challenger 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. Shortly before, Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave the green light to Germany sending 14 Leopard 2 tanks, a decision that opens the gates to several other European countries armed with Leopards to send their own contributions. In a televised address, President Joe Biden promised 31 Abrams tanks, one of the most powerful and sophisticated weapons in the US army. The United States and Germany on Wednesday, January 25, announced deliveries of top-of-the-line tanks to Ukraine, signaling a new surge of Western support for an expected counteroffensive against the Russian invasion. Leclerc, Leopard 2, Challenger 2, M1 Abrams, AMX-10 RC, Marder, Bradley: What are these machines and why does Kyiv want them?īy Juliette Bénézit Published on January 20, 2023, at 10:22 am (Paris), updated on January 26, 2023, at 9:43 amĪ British soldier on the training ground of the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers ('Iron Challenge'), on the training area of Longmoor, near Bordon, England, on March 14, 2022.

Western tanks in the war in Ukraine: An overview of their role and tactical utility

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