How tanks from Germany, US and UK could

change the Ukraine war.

Is this the week when the war abruptly shifted in favour of Ukraine? The announcement that a
coalition of Western countries was now willing to provide main battle tanks manufactured in the
contemporary era was undoubtedly a pivotal occasion.

The US announced it would send M1 Abrams tanks, while Germany indicated it would send
Leopard 2 tanks. The UK and Poland have both previously made firm commitments, and more
countries are anticipated to do the same. The action has been called a potential gamechange
by several commentators.

But will it be sufficient to end the war?

Western tanks will make a difference, according to Ben Barry, senior fellow at the International
Institute for Strategic Studies), who spoke to the BBC. However, the former British Army
Brigadier cautions that the thus far stated pledges are unlikely to prove decisive.

Tanks have been a crucial component of offensive operations in contemporary warfare, helping
to break past enemy defenses and retake territory.

When used properly, they offer protection, shock, and surprise in addition to mobile firepower.
They can weaken an enemy's defense if they are concentrated in large numbers. However, they
also require the assistance of artillery to first undermine such defenses and subsequently the
assistance of troops to retain newly captured territory.

Tanks don't always win conflicts, as history has shown. In order to break the stalemate of
stationary trench warfare, the British utilised hundreds of tanks for the first time at the battle of
Cambrai in November 1917. They made substantial progress at first, but soon enough several
tanks broke down, and a German counteroffensive caused British gains to turn into losses.

Tanks can be employed for defence as well. In order to delay the Nazi invasion at Arras in 1940
and enable the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk, they were employed by the retreating
British and French armies.

However, Ukraine has made it clear that it needs weaponry not only to stop any hypothetical
Russian spring invasion but also to recapture its own land – to launch an offensive.