MBT's

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The following is a "quick look" of the known tanks involved in the Ukrainian War.
ISSUES POTENIALLY:

Russian - T-80U carrying 7 more rounds of ammo versus the T-80BV.

Ukraine - The issue appears to be the type ATGW some of their tanks carry versus what I believe we show in the OOB. There seems to be more reliance on the Russian ones (Which they had several 100's of or more.) vice their own ones. A random check on http://www.military-today.com/ a Ukrainian based site seems to support this conclusion as well.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/ukra..._conflict.html

We've just made (28 Feb.) a major decision/move from about a little more than an hour up the road from me. They should be on the way now.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/anal...o_europe_.html

They should have the M1A2 SEP V2.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

https://www.armyrecognition.com/anal...o_europe_.html[/b]

They should have the M1A2 SEP V2.

Regards,
Pat

They should have as in they don't but they should or They should have as in that's what they likely have



.. somebody tell me what version is pictured here. I'm sure there is rivet someplace that is the clue but IDK where to find it

[Karagin]

SEP2, the CROWs system box is the giveaway.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The "latter", needless to say, I hit the shower as soon as I posted my last. Felt it was but didn't have time to verify it.

My concern was that it wasn't a M1A2 SA which were both, finishing the OPEVAL and were later for a time posted at Fort Stewart Ga. as well.

I did post about the OPEVAL issue during the time period leading up to the ABRAMS "rabbit hole" in verifying what ABRAMS tanks were actually still in service with the USA.

Regards,
Pat

[Karagin]

I need to find the article, but back in 95 they tested ERA on an Abrams and the results were not that impressive. I am wondering if given how things are going with the ATGMs that are being used more of late if they won't come back to this or go a different route to add another layer of protection for the next version of the Abrams or which every new tank is set to replace it?

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

This is making me feel really good about that JUN/OCT 2023 date for the M1A2C (SEP V3) the following is the second unit to receive this tank. The Spartan Brigade, 2ABCT, US 3rd Infanty Division is getting them now along with the modernized M2A3 BRADLEY just up the road from me (~1hr.+) at Ft. Stewart Ga.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe..._bradleys.html

The first unit as posted by me was the and as taken from the below ref... “Greywolves” of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division are the first US Army unit to operate the M1A2C, the latest version of the M1 Abrams main battle tank. They received their M1A2Cs at Fort Hood, the 1st Cavalry Division’s home base. " this occurred in Jul 2020. The update I have in my files was from this past OCT 2021 that they were conducting firing testing/qualifications.
https://www.overtdefense.com/2020/07...operate-m1a2c/
https://www.army.mil/article/238575/...w_abrams_tanks

This good news for us we're getting can't say the same for the Russians and their ARMATA. Wouldn't be ironic if we see the VT4 in Ukraine?

Nothing would surprise me at this time.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

This is making me feel really good about that JUN/OCT 2023 date for the M1A2C (SEP V3) the following is the second unit to receive this tank. The Spartan Brigade, 2ABCT, US 3rd Infanty Division is getting them now along with the modernized M2A3 BRADLEY just up the road from me (~1hr.+) at Ft. Stewart Ga.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe..._bradleys.html

The first unit as posted by me was the and as taken from the below ref... “Greywolves” of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division are the first US Army unit to operate the M1A2C, the latest version of the M1 Abrams main battle tank. They received their M1A2Cs at Fort Hood, the 1st Cavalry Division’s home base. " this occurred in Jul 2020. The update I have in my files was from this past OCT 2021 that they were conducting firing testing/qualifications.
https://www.overtdefense.com/2020/07...operate-m1a2c/
https://www.army.mil/article/238575/...w_abrams_tanks

This good news for us we're getting can't say the same for the Russians and their ARMATA. Wouldn't be ironic if we see the VT4 in Ukraine?

Nothing would surprise at this time.

Regards,
Pat

The ISD we have now is Jan 2022. Should I push it back ?

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Leave it alone for now, I saw the same in game. Though NOT from Army sources, I'm seeing a very small number of sites stating it has reached FOC. Some of this I've already "deconflicted" simply by the firing qualifications ongoing last OCT. as I just posted from an Army source.

As you well know, this an issue we've had to deal with more times, it seems, than we can count in the past.

For sure of the tanks, I listed almost ten years ago now, that I expected to see before games end, I know we WILL NOT see the following:
LeClerc XLR and CHALLENGER 3.

In the category of HIGHLY UNLIKELY the ARMATA, ALTAY (Towards end of last year, they were seeking a contract to buy engines from S. Korea which I believe is now completed. I've stated many times over the years this was a major impediment for this tank to overcome.) and the ARJUN Mk2 which of the three mentioned might have the "best shot" to get in. Go figure!?!

And finally, the SURPRISE was the German LEOPARD 2A7V awesome piece of engineering and a game changer in the real world. That being said the unit receiving it WILL NOT be fully equipped with it until APRIL 2022. see below ref. 2 for further breakdown and my thoughts on this tank. They deploy for 2 years in OCTOBER 2022 as a NATO Rapid Reaction Force 2022/24
https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organis...om-band-146788
(They moved fast.)
https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organis...truppe-5220262
(Upper right note date of article 16SEP2021.
Other 8 due by APRIL 2022.
Allowing for ongoing training/qualification and of those crews JUNE 2022 better for FOC.)

Thats all the tank status I have in a "nutshell" hope it helps for your planning.

Washout: Leave M1A2C alone for this year.

Tracking rest after LeClerc and CHALLENGER 3 (Not happening).

And finally, CHANGE START to JUN 2022 for LEOPARD 2A7V.

Back to work today.

Regards,
Pat

[DRG]

If anyone finds expert analysis ( NOT "joes blog" analysis unless "joe" is renowned for accurate analysis) on the availability and use of Arena and Shtora systems in Ukraine please post the link.

Andy and I are both thinking that perhaps we have them a bit too effective in the game and I am still of the mind that these are not as common as we were led to believe

HOWEVER

This

https://defense-update.com/20130925_...-rae-2013.html
New Arena-3 APS Debut At RAE-2013

shows this



and that IS what's shown here on the right side of the turret




That is also what is mounted on the Photo of MID-M in post#1263

[DRG]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

And finally, the SURPRISE was the German LEOPARD 2A7V awesome piece of engineering and a game changer in the real world. That being said the unit receiving it WILL NOT be fully equipped with it until APRIL 2022. see below ref. 2 for further breakdown and my thoughts on this tank. They deploy for 2 years in OCTOBER 2022 as a NATO Rapid Reaction Force 2022/24
https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organis...om-band-146788
(They moved fast.)
https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/organis...truppe-5220262
(Upper right note date of article 16SEP2021.
Other 8 due by APRIL 2022.
Allowing for ongoing training/qualification and of those crews JUNE 2022 better for FOC.)

\
And finally, CHANGE START to JUN 2022 for LEOPARD 2A7V.

Back to work today.

Regards,
Pat

https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/germa...-tanks.718103/

Germany orders Israel’s Trophy active protection system for its Leopard 2 tanks

That was posted last year so thinking I need to make a change to the 7V at least