Ukraine shifts tank strategy as drones redefine battlefield roles
The Ukrainian armed forces are altering their strategy after losing more than 1,000 tanks, as claimed by 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," he notes.
After significant tank losses, the Ukrainian army is implementing a new operational strategy. Tanks, which have become targets for Russian drones, must now operate more cautiously, often hiding in barns and garages. This change is intended to improve their survival rate on the battlefield. David Axe points out that Ukrainian tank crews occasionally emerge from hiding to fire a few shots before retreating to cover again.
The new role of tanks
Forbes analyst David Axe emphasizes that tanks will now play a supporting, rather than leading, role. Instead of engaging in 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 reorganizing its tank units," Axe explains.
The analyst notes that in the Ukrainian army, four armored brigades, each with about 100 tanks, will likely be dissolved. The tanks, which include models like the Leopard 1A5 and 2A4, will be reassigned to new battalions of 30 tanks within infantry and mechanized brigades, as well as to a newly organized multibrigade corps within 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 most significant threats on the front line in Ukraine currently comes from drones. These small devices, which vary in size and payload (or small additional ammunition), are relatively inexpensive. This affordability makes it possible to conduct widespread strikes using them.
The Russian Federation's army commonly utilizes Shahed-136 drones, known for their delta wing design. The Shahed measures about 11.5 feet in length and has a wingspan of approximately 8.2 feet. These drones can carry up to 88 pounds of combat loads, and their Limbach L550E engine enables them to reach speeds of around 115 mph.
