The Russia-Ukraine conflict that began on February 24, 2022, has unfolded quite differently from what many initially expected. What was anticipated by some Russians to be a swift and decisive victory has instead turned into a stalemate, with neither side able to gain the upper hand decisively. But in this article, we will be discussing the losses of Russian armoured vehicles, primarly tanks.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimated that Russia has lost more than 3,000 armoured fighting vehicles in the past year alone and close to 8,800 since February 2022 and British intelligence reported that the Russian military has lost approximately 2,600 main battle tanks and 4,900 other armoured combat vehicles in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. Despite losing hundreds of armoured vehicles and artillery pieces per month on average, Russia has been able to keep its active inventory numbers stable. For 2023, it was estimated that Russia was able to reactivate at least 1,180 to 1,280 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and around 2,470 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) from storage
Where Did The Russians Went Wrong?
The failure of Russian armour in Ukraine is a cause of a combination of strategic miscalculations and operational shortcomings.
The first strategic mistake was to Underestimate the Ukrainian Resolve to fight. Russia’s initial invasion plan underestimated Ukraine’s will to resist, expecting a swift and easy victory. This led to a lack of adequate preparation and planning for the offensive. Russian forces failed to execute a coherent combined arms operation, which involves the coordinated use of various military assets such as infantry, armour, artillery, air support, and logistics. Without careful planning and coordination, the effectiveness of the armoured units was greatly diminished and got scattered, making an easy target for the Ukrainians.
The second would be poor logistics. Logistics make sure tanks have enough fuel and ammo, get fixed when they break, and have spare parts ready when needed. Poor logistics hampered Russian operations. Shortages of ammunition and fuel meant that many tanks were abandoned or were ineffective on the battlefield, leading to the failure of the armoured offensive. Further offensive from multiple fronts stretched the Russian army logistics too thin.
The third one, what Russia thought to be an easy victory, instead of the anticipated open-field charges, Russian tanks found themselves in urban warfare, where the advantage of heavy tanks was negated by the close-quarter nature of the combat environment. Ukrainian forces, equipped with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) provided by the west, effectively countered the Russian tanks. Ukranians equipped with ATGMs and drones played a crucial role in slowing down the Russian advance.
The anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) proved very effective against Russian armour vehicles and the absence of active protection systems (APS) on many Russian tanks, especially against top attack. The storage of ammunition below the turret on Russian tanks posed a significant vulnerability, when hit by ATGMs, especially those designed for top attacks, the ammunition stored led to catastrophic explosions and destroyed the tank.
Origin Of Tanks
To understand why tanks face difficulty in operating urban scenarios, we have first to understand why tanks were invented and how their role in warfare evolved. Tanks have their origins in the need for a solution to the stalemate of trench warfare during World War I. As the war dragged on, both sides sought a way to break through enemy lines and overcome the impasse of entrenched infantry and machine gun fire(Watch the movie ‘All Quiet On Western Front’).
The first tanks, developed by the British, were introduced to the battlefield in 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. These early tanks were initially intended to provide infantry support by crossing trenches, crushing barbed wire, and providing cover from enemy fire. Their armored hulls offered protection against small arms fire and shrapnel
After WW1, tanks emerged as critical assets in dominating the battle rather than just being infantry support vehicles which it performed during WW1. Heavy tanks played a crucial role in German offensives during World War II, the German military doctrine of Blitzkrieg, or “lightning war,” relied heavily on the rapid and coordinated use of tanks, infantry, and air power to achieve swift and decisive victories, establishing controls over most of Europe.
So tanks are meant for open field battles where they can unleash their full potential, covering huge swaths of the area, and establishing defence over an important area with the help of infantry. Their mere presence deters enemy forces. But in urban scenarios where narrow streets limit the mobility of tanks and the presence of buildings provides a perfect spot for an ambush. Further, it limits the firepower of tanks since there is a risk of collateral damage.
Also Read, 10 Most Powerful Battle Tanks in the World
This Poses a Question, Are Tanks Obsolete?
Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Armenia-Azerbaijan war have led to questioning the effectiveness of tanks in contemporary warfare. One of the foremost challenges facing armoured vehicles, including tanks, is logistics. The importance of efficient logistical support during operations cannot be ignored, we have discussed how Russia faced consequences because of poor logistics.
Furthermore, the rise of asymmetrical warfare has led to the emergence of new threats. Low-cost drones armed with explosives have shown the capability to destroy heavily armoured tanks worth millions of dollars. This was evident in conflicts such as those between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as Russia and Ukraine. The advancement of Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) technology presents significant challenges due to its cost-effectiveness, mobility, extended range, sophisticated guidance systems, element of surprise, and versatility.
Despite these challenges, tanks retain their relevance in modern warfare. Their effectiveness on the battlefield comes down to how they are deployed on the battlefield. When supported by complementary assets such as artillery, air defence systems, and logistical, and close air support, tanks can exert significant influence and dominance. Advancements in defence mechanisms, including Active Protection Systems, and enhancements in avionics such as target identification, laser warning systems, and thermal sights, help contribute to the survivability and effectiveness of tanks.
Also Read, How Battle Tanks Are Operated?
Defensive Systems of Indian Tanks
Let’s take a look at our tanks and their defensive systems. Currently Indian Army operates 2078 T90 Bhishma with 464 on order, 2410 T72 Ajeya, and the indigenous Arjun Tanks of which 124 are Mk1 and 118 Mk1a which are on orders.
T72’s
The T-72 tanks are equipped with the DRDO Explosive Reactive Armor Mk2, a variant of the Russian Kontak-5 system. This advanced armour provides enhanced protection against anti-tank missiles and projectiles. The tanks feature an Israeli image and fire control system, allowing for target identification at distances of up to 3 kilometres. It even has thick composite armour in the turret for protection against kinetic rounds.
Arjun Tank
The Arjun Tank uses ERA–NERA, Kanchan armour which consists of layers of ceramic tiles and composite panels for enhanced protection against modern anti-tank weapons. An advanced laser warning countermeasure system (ALWCS) and a fibre-optic gyro-based sensor package unit were developed and integrated into the Arjun MK1 main battle tank. This system is designed to detect and counter incoming threats.
It also has ultra-high strength low alloy DMR-1700 steel armour plates that protect against kinetic energy penetrator projectiles. The non-explosive reactive armour (NERA) protection and NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection systems protect the crew and ensure safety in hazardous chemical, nuclear and biological environments. It features a multi-purpose mobile camouflage system (MCS) for passive protection, which reduces its infrared signature
T90 Bhishma
The T-90 Bhishma is equipped with Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armoured (ERA) plates and composite armour for protection against anti-tank missiles and kinetic rounds. It comes up with Thales Catherine FC thermal sights for increased situational awareness.
It has an Israeli environmental control system which provides cool air enhancing crew comfort. SAAB Land Electronic Defence System (LEDS-150) against anti-tank missiles. The T-90 Bhishma can be equipped with the EMT-7 electromagnetic counter mine system, which emits an electromagnetic pulse to disable magnetic mines and disrupt electronic warfare systems.
Laser Tank
By now you must’ve understood the importance of Tanks having an effective defensive system to protect themselves against threats. In this aspect have you ever thought of Laser Tanks, if you haven’t then you’re about to hear about one. I’ll be discussing how the Soviets back in the 1970s started working on their laser tanks and the subsequent fate of the project. If you’re interested in how a laser can be employed for different military applications then you can read about that here.
Project 1K17 Szhatie
Origins of the Project:
As Western countries equipped their soldiers and armoured vehicles with cutting-edge night vision and thermal imaging capabilities in the 1960s, the Soviet Union recognized the need for a formidable countermeasure. Thus, the genesis of Project 1K17 Szhatie emerged.
Evolution Of The Project
The project’s initial iteration, known as the 1K11 Stilet, featured a single laser designed to detect and engage enemy optics automatically. However, its slow turret rotation and reliance on a single laser frequency left it vulnerable to countermeasures. Despite these drawbacks, the 1K11 Stilet entered service, paving the way for further advancements.
Subsequent improvements led to the birth of a new vehicle based on the Shilka chassis. Equipped with a powerful laser with a range of 10 Km, this iteration could not only blind enemy optics but also incapacitate(blind) operators. Later stages with advancements in laser tech led to the final product called the 1K17 Szhaite, mounted on the 2S19 Msta-S chassis, the 1K17 Szhatie had 12 lasers with varying frequencies, rendering countermeasures ineffective. With the ability to detect and engage multiple targets simultaneously, coupled with night and thermal vision for the crew, it provided unparalleled defensive capabilities within armoured formations.
In the Soviet doctrine “Deep Doctrine”, which emphasized swift armoured thrusts, the 1K17 Szhatie laser tank was made to provide essential support by offering defensive cover and disrupting enemy operations, ensuring the advance remained uninterrupted. A unique advantage of the 1K17 Szhatie was its operation in the infrared spectrum, making it invisible to the naked eye. Unlike conventional lasers operating within the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum offered covert engagement, enhancing the tank’s effectiveness on the battlefield.
Abandonment Of The Project
Despite its revolutionary design, mounting lasers on tanks posed significant challenges. Line-of-sight requirements and susceptibility to environmental factors such as weather and dust hindered its performance, particularly in mountainous terrains. Moreover, advancements in thermal detectors threatened its stealth capabilities. Ultimately, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Project met its demise.
