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RE: Today in History: First successful use of tanks in battle
Are tanks really being phased out? A main battle tank still packs a lot of rapidly mobile firepower.
Are tanks really being phased out? A main battle tank still packs a lot of rapidly mobile firepower.
from what i have read there is not much production demand for them anymore. That is not to say they don't make any of them, but as far as warfare is concerned they aren't cost effective. For the United States anyway, focus has been moved to drones and advanced air support with lightweight, fast armored ground transport.
Tanks are a lot faster now then they were in the early 20th century of course, but the impression that I am getting from what i am reading is that there are more cost effective methods of accomplishing the same goals, particularly when your opponent doesn't even have an air force. You've probably seen the infrared videos of an A-10 Warhog that is miles away annihilating everything on the satellite feed with a "frrrrrrt" sound of it's minigun. A tank would face RPG fire in the scenario. The enemy (at least from US military perspective today) can't even fire back at something like that.
I suppose a tank might be used in urban warfare, but to what end? It doesn't make much sense really as it is just a gas guzzling and relatively immobile target for anyone with rocket propelled explosives.
Just my two pennies.
You're most likely right. The tank is gradually on its way out.
You what, when communities are released sometime next spring, we need to create a community for military history buffs. There is no shortage of armchair generals who will debate anything under that topic in this world. :)