Ukrainian tank strategy shifts as drones reshape battlefield
Ukrainian armed forces are adjusting their strategy after losing over 1,000 tanks, claims military analyst and Forbes journalist David Axe. According to him, Ukrainian crews must now operate with exceptional caution. "[They are] hiding most of the time in barns, garages or dugout," one report states.
Following the loss of over 1,000 tanks, the Ukrainian army is implementing a new operating strategy. Tanks that have become targets for Russian drones now have to operate more cautiously, often taking cover in barns and garages. This change aims to increase their chances of survival on the battlefield. The Forbes analyst notes that Ukrainian tank crews occasionally emerge to fire a few shots before taking cover again.
New role for tanks
Forbes analyst David Axe emphasizes that tanks will now play a supporting rather than leading role. Instead of direct attacks, they will function more like cautious artillery. "Functioning more like cautious artillery and less like the brazen, close-fighting assault vehicles they once were, tanks are losing some of their relevance. Embracing that new truth, the Ukrainian army is reorganising its tank units," Axe explains.
The Forbes analyst notes that four armored brigades in the Ukrainian army, each with approximately 100 tanks, are likely to be disbanded. Tanks, including Leopard 1A5 and 2A4 models, will be transferred to new 30-tank battalions within infantry and mechanized brigades, as well as to a new multi-brigade corps organized by the Ukrainian ground forces.
"Ukraine’s tanks are dispersing on the battlefield—spreading out and hiding to avoid detection by drones—and also dispersing within the Ukrainian military’s force structure: playing more of a supporting role than a lead role in a war increasingly shaped by tiny, lethal robots," explains David Axe.
Threat on the frontline - drones
It's important to note that one of the biggest threats on the frontline in Ukraine currently is drones. These devices vary in size and the warhead they carry, or any additional small ammunition installed, but they are relatively inexpensive tools. This allows for the possibility of conducting massive strikes using them.
A popular unmanned aerial vehicle used by the Russian Federation's army is the Shahed-136, which is characterized by a delta-wing design. The Shahed is approximately 11 feet long, with a wingspan of about 8 feet. It can carry combat loads weighing up to 90 pounds, while its Limbach L550E engine allows the weapon to reach speeds of approximately 115 mph.
