MBT's

[blazejos]

T-90M 'Proryv' captured intact in last counteroffensive on eastern front near Charkiv only 20 is for now in Russian army (now 19)

https://en.defence-ua.com/news/elite...hoto-4266.html



And here about other captured tanks T-72B3 more common last modernisation of T-72

https://en.defence-ua.com/analysis/w...ften-3727.html

In this place interesting article about usage of T-64BM as improvised Self propelled gun with range 10km. Look's like now according to this article if you have drone which observe your target (even cheap civilian) and application on mobile phone which calculate your barrel position you can use any tank for such job so tanks became SP guns for indirect fire even if range is not so great but that wasn't possible earlier with so easy to acquire necessary additional equipment. Here about Ukrainian usage of T-64BM in that makeshift role

https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and...ideo-3718.html

T-62 obsolete tanks are re also in usage and recently captured
https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and...ophy-4231.html

And here list of all captured equipment by Ukrainians in last counteroffensive

https://en.defence-ua.com/weapon_and...pany-4217.html

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don if you missed it see Post 1410 on previous page as the page "flipped" maybe before you saw it.

To the T-90M Russia is actually down to 16 or 17 at least 2-3 destroyed with another believed to have been captured but was damaged in the initial ops in the North drive to the capital. Timeframe I believe was March/April for the above. It's posted in maybe this and or the "Ukraine OOB NEW and OLD TOYS" thread.

However, Russia has NOT lost faith in this tank.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...sian_army.html

Also, Russia celebrates an 80th production year anniversary.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...o_t-80bvm.html

Germany demonstrates the LEOPARD 2A7+ in the Czech Republic during NATO Days show. The Czech Republic has expressed interest in buying them within the next few years.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...rophy_aps.html

Related story...
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...p_by_2024.html

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I'm posting an updated article concerning the capture yesterday of that T-90M. It appears it threw a track on the left side.

Also, the crew appeared to make no attempt to destroy it or its more sensitive components.

Of particular interest is the fact it has the latest gunner's sight which is made completely of Russian components.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...c6a60d915aa2cd
https://crib-blog.blogspot.com/2021/...ized-t-90.html

There's more in the article including another prototype tank I don't recall hearing about the T-80UM2. Conjecture is that's the Prototype or even the BLACK EAGLE which was capable of mounting a 125mm/135mm/140mm and 152mm main gun.

The BLACK EAGLE was my first post in this thread. It would be nice to know it saw combat and met a fitting end if that's the case though I think we might never know the truth of that.


What's also important about these two tanks (T-80UM2 and T-90M.) is the technological "linkage" over time from about 2000 to 2020 or present. We can learn a lot about their developmental and R&D processes.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...c6a60d915aa2cd
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/t12_black_eagle.htm

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I wasn't sure which thread to put this in but felt it important enough as it will affect the game and have an impact for any scenario folks where the use of USMC is concerned.

The first unit (3rd Marine Littoral Regiment) had already been testing the new concept. The 3rd MLR was activated earlier this year using the new squad in the regiment’s littoral combat team and the following will show what it looks like and finally it'll allow us to transport this NEW configuration much more easily.

This is part of what the 2030 Plan wanted to accomplish.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/th...b7d7f2cf0d5715
https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/new...cs%20battalion.
https://www.mcicom.marines.mil/News/...ics-battalion/
https://www.pacom.mil/Media/News/New...ics-battalion/

I always try to use the best resources available when they're available.

So, some tank news concerning heavy armor for the Ukraine coming from the West. The last one caught me a little "off guard" but not too much.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...iscussion.html
It was also mentioned a modernization of the M-60A3 could be considered, I hope we could do better. If it should go that way, it should be an updated combination of the 120S or better the M-60A3 SLEP.
http://www.military-today.com/tanks/120s.htm
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/th...-killing-16142
https://community.battlefront.com/to...rs-m60a3-slep/
https://tankandafvnews.com/tag/m60-slep/

If I remember correctly there was mention in the above concerning the F-16 (Specifically the F-16V.) this isn't the first mention by the USAF putting the Ukraine and the F-16 in the same sentence.

I first read about this around mid-March concerning the competency of their pilots to be able to fly those jets. I would see this again ~May and July/Aug all from O6's and one O7 (?).

I believe the training has already started. We'll see.

I didn't look into this much until a few minutes ago and it looks "like a thing" now.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/...an-pilots.html
https://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-air-f...vryHtgilJFNS3Z
(This one made the national news concerning the A-10.)
https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/20...-fighter-jets/
https://www.airforcemag.com/romania-...-to-fly-f-16s/

I just remembered I had also posted the following before a couple of years back, this is another M-60 option...
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/moder...rade-solution/

As ALWAYS, I'll be tracking these developments.

Regards,
Pat

[blazejos]

Probably did you heard but shortly before war in February 2022 Ukraine was involved in project of modernisation of T-64BV to T-64BV Obr.2022

Two variant were used on trials
T-64BV Obr.2022 https://thedeaddistrict.blogspot.com...-tank-has.html

T-64BVK commander variant https://thedeaddistrict.blogspot.com...&by-date=false

even if whole project of modernisation was stooped after invasion is very likely that both prototypes were used on front-line.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

A WORD BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER. The following information is from Oryx Intelligence Consulting.

They are on the ground and using other verifiable photographic and video data to come up with their numbers. It should be pointed out here that they are more on the conservative side than from MOD and a handful of "thinktanks" that are also tracking these numbers closely.

Equipment is listed by type i.e., Tanks, APC, IFV etc. etc.

You must read the para. of ref. 2.

The link for me by way of example between ref. 1 and Ref.2 is the following...
"One Ukrainian battalion, the Carpathian Sich, seized 10 modern T-80 tanks and five 2S5 Giatsint 152-mm self-propelled howitzers after it entered the town of Izyum last month, said its deputy chief of staff, Ruslan Andriyko."

Now look at ref. 2; scroll down to the T-80BVM a total of 46 tanks that fall into in all categories of the equipment's status starting with destroyed equipment first and work through to damaged captured/captured.

I get 21 captured T-80BVM EXCLUDING I believe were 3 damaged/ captured ones and 1 damaged/abandoned the rest were again, destroyed.

By my count that makes 7 "light" platoons OR 5 "normal" platoons based on the current Ukrainian OOB.

You'll see much higher numbers for the captured T-72B3 and our T-72B3/4 (Listed as T-72B3 Obr. 2016 in the ref..)

Many sites are using their data in comparison to other known sources what's important here if you read para 1 ref. 2, is that they believe the numbers are higher but cannot prove it.

I'm more then reasonably sure this is pretty good data.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world...d194f3ff6b96fd
(Original article from the Wall Street Journal. See para.11.)
https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/0...equipment.html
https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

I have not found any info that any Leo 1A5's ( or 2A4's ) have arrived in Ukraine. Have you?

Thinking none of this is going to happen

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Based on my last post in the "GREEN & WHITE PAPERS" thread, my thinking was Germany had to take the lead on the MBT issue.

I thought I had made a comment to reverse that in my Post 1414 here but, I guess I thought it and just didn't "put it down on paper" in that post.

The German BUNDESTAG is putting pressure on the Chanceller to provide the LEO 2A4 or better.

But the read I get is Germany wants us to move first on the tank issue.

But nobody wants to be the leader at this point.

Post 1414 provided for many options from the USA to include very modernized M-60A3 conversions that would be suitable for combat in the Ukraine and provide an easy introduction to western tanks with minimal loss of technology data if captured.
The following provides for very good context on this issue.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ks-for-ukraine

So having provided better context for our faithful readers, to your question now partially answered, I would say take out the LEO 1A5 TO WHERE THE PLAYERS CAN'T USE IT but keep it in there as we'll have an answer in the coming year.

And we'll just have to take a "wait and see" position depending how the war is going but estimates are indicating the Ukrainians have more than recouped their tanks losses with the MORE modern Russian tanks they've captured.

I would also go as far to say the Ukrainians are using much a much better armored doctrine than the Russians. This is borne out of western doctrine and has been clearly demonstrated on the battlefield of late. Not quite "PATTONIST" but certainly as aggressive as he was.

For what's it's worth.

Regards,
Pat

[Suhiir]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

I wasn't sure which thread to put this in but felt it important enough as it will affect the game and have an impact for any scenario folks where the use of USMC is concerned.

I've been watching this "Littoral" development with interest.

Apparently it envisions reinforced company sized formations augmented with anti-air and anti-ship missiles and the ability to refuel/rearm F-35Bs being placed on the numerous tiny islands near China to inhibit their ability to hinder opposition naval efforts.

Personally I'm having visions of Wake in December 1941.

These developments are for situations totally outside the scope of WinSPMBT. Except maybe a single scenario of a USMC Littoral company defending it's rock against the Chinese.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I'm simply going to say-WELCOME BACK STRANGER!!

May the "debate games" begin again!?!

Just glad my "Marine Buddy" is back.

Regards,
Pat