Germany taps museum tanks to train Ukrainian soldiers
The Reuters agency reports that Germany is removing Soviet tanks from museums. This action serves a specific purpose: the tanks are needed for training Ukrainian crews.
3:43 PM EST, November 12, 2024
According to Andreas Marlow, head of the EU’s special training command for Ukraine, in an interview with the agency, German authorities have decided to remove Soviet-manufactured tanks from museums. This decision aims to make Ukrainians' training more relevant to the actual conditions on the front lines.
Not only modern equipment at the front
Reuters notes that 17 countries have participated in training 18,000 Ukrainian soldiers so far. Instructors have taught the defending army how to operate modern tanks and precise air defense systems and have also trained snipers, engineers, medics, and drone operators.
However, it is important to recognize that older machines play a significant role in Ukraine alongside this modern equipment—specifically, Soviet-era designs, which are available in large quantities and have proven effective in previously tested strategies. Therefore, the German army removed old Soviet tanks from museums to better train the Ukrainians.
It's worth noting that the Russian side has long been using decades-old machines whose usefulness on the front is questionable. Back in June 2023, media circulated recordings showing another transport of Russian T-62 and T-62M tanks headed for Ukraine. These models are among the oldest still participating in the war in Ukraine, having been designed in the 1960s as upgrades of the T-54 and T-55 series tanks. Although the Germans have not specified which exact tanks have been prepared for training from museums, the aforementioned T-62s may be among them.
Outdated Russian tanks
Currently, the T-62 and T-62M models are considered outdated, particularly regarding protection. Concerned about the safety of their machines, the Russians have begun installing additional armor, such as cages or roofs, designed to defend against attacks using FPV (first-person view) kamikaze drones.
Regarding offensive potential, the T-62 tanks and their modified versions, the T-62M, are significantly less capable than NATO tanks and more advanced designs from the Soviet era. Their main armament is a 115 mm smoothbore gun, which is inadequate for penetrating the armor of contemporary military machines. Additionally, these tanks have weak engines, producing 580 horsepower, allowing them to reach a maximum speed of about 31 mph.
