As the war in Ukraine continues to grind on, the issue of Western tanks’ operational use has become a focal point of strategic discussions and military assessments. Despite initial concerns and reports suggesting that the United States wanted its Abrams tanks sidelined from frontline combat, the Dutch government has clarified its position regarding the Leopard 2 tanks donated to Ukraine. “Ukraine itself determines how it wants to deploy the donated equipment; the Netherlands has not imposed any additional conditions on this, other than the obligations arising from the United Nations Charter and international humanitarian law,” a spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Defense stated unequivocally.
This assertion follows a report in which Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Adm. Christopher Grady expressed concerns over massed armor’s vulnerability in an environment where drones are ubiquitous. The report also hinted at Ukrainian forces not engaging in so-called combined arms operations, which was countered by footage from Ukraine’s 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade demonstrating frontline combat involvement of Abrams tanks, though not specifically in tank-on-tank battles.
On the Russian side, the situation is less promising with the modern T-90M tanks failing to make a significant impact against Ukrainian forces. Despite technological advancements, the T-90M’s slow reverse speed has been identified as a crucial operational flaw, making it susceptible to counterattacks by Ukrainian anti-tank systems. It is evident that the shortcomings of the Russian tanks, coupled with the obsolescence of activated Cold War-era tanks, have not reversed the tide for Russia in Ukraine.
The display of captured Western tanks, including Abrams and Leopard tanks, in Moscow reflects a symbolic gesture from the Russian government as President Vladimir Putin begins his fifth term amidst an intensified anti-NATO and anti-Western rhetoric. The Russian Ministry of Defence boasts of these trophies as a sign of strength, despite heavy losses of Russian tanks on the battlefield.
The operational use of Western tanks in Ukraine thus stands at a crossroads. On one hand, there is the potential for these modern combat vehicles to shift the strategic balance in favor of Ukrainian forces. On the other hand, the risk of attrition through drone warfare and the strategic showcase of captured hardware by Russia present an ongoing challenge.
European leaders, acknowledging the necessity of reinforcing Ukraine’s defensive capabilities, have agreed to send a substantial number of Leopard 2 tanks, with Germany providing 18 and the Netherlands and Denmark donating a combined 14. However, the effectiveness of these donations will be tested on the battleground as Ukrainian forces adapt to evolving tactics and countermeasures.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense said officials aren’t tracking the donated behemoths. “The Netherlands doesn’t have any insight into loss or damage to Leopards that were provided in part due to involvement by the Netherlands,” the spokesperson told Defense News.
Defense officials in Berlin declined to comment on the question of Leopard operational caveats and losses, citing operational security concerns.
Relevant articles:
– Confusion swirls over Western tank caveats in Ukraine, Defense News, 05/10/2024
– Russia’s T-90M Tank Nightmare in Ukraine Just Won’t Ever End, The National Interest Online, 05/10/2024
– Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, May 7, 2024, Critical Threats Project, 05/07/2024
– Russians throng to display of Western ‘trophy’ tanks captured in Ukraine, Yahoo News Australia, 05/09/2024