Institute for the Study of War’s Post

Ukraine needs tanks strategically, for specific tactical operations, and for the power of perception. This last one is where the American Abrams provides the most punch-per-pound. Yes, they need too much jet fuel and have too many moving parts and need too much training and have too long a supply and maintenance chain. All true. But being on the ground in country doesn't mean they have to be deployed to the eastern or southern fronts. America releasing some of them (ex., older allied nation A1s, or some NG tanks) could politically unlock Germany to allow-support other NATO members releasing Leopards for battlefront use, while the Abrams were deployed toward Ukraine's northern and northwestern borders.

Tanks are as vital for the defence as they are for the offence. This is something people often seem to forget. But without them, a tactical defence in depth becomes both very costly in human lives and difficult to sustain and operational level defence against enemy breakthroughs almost impossible. Tanks are the core of the counter-offensive and the offensive and the basic building block of the all-arms team.

The technical and logistical support concerns used as an excuse for not offering Abrams MBTs to Ukraine are overblown and readily solvable. As for concerns about the Kremlin’s reaction, it’s important to keep in mind that HIMARS was far more consequential. Yes, Leopard IIs would be ideal and Germany is looking for a small indication of support from us before it will consent to the donation of Leopard IIs. They have expressed that it doesn’t need to be a large or even a imminent commitment. They are just looking for the political commitment from us before they proceed. This could be easily addressed with an announcement the future donationof a company/squadron’s worth of Abrams.

So it's better not to sell it from Ukraine to Africa

nope, Ukraine needs more and better tanks not for defence but for offensive ops that will expel the Russian invaders and reclaim Crimea. 😎 And the Leopard IIs will be decisive in Ukraine. Germany just wants to send a precautionary message it is not in a hurry to escalate the war, while Poland trains the Ukrainian tank crews in its Leopards. It has only been 70 years since the Panzers last thundered across the Russian Steppes.

The tank is the best offensive weapon for Army. Having enough powerful tanks, Ukraine can push the bonduaries into russian continental territory in order to create a buffer zone. In terms of regain the Crimean Peninsula, they need a powerful Navy, including Marines.

I will wait until the Ukrainians have the tanks and employ them to comment. I am expecting some interesting results but need to wait and see which capabilities and munitions are delivered with them.

With technology improvements You direct people to think like You want. It is so effective.

USA needs to match Germany with Abrams. Marine Corp are donating their's to Army should donate to Ukraine instead. No brainer.