Should You Fear the New Russian Tank?

UPDATE 4.22.22: The addition of UAVs (Bayraktar TB2) and loitering munitions, a.k.a “kamikaze drones” like the Switchblade, have made life tough for Russia’s armored columns. Increasing autonomy in weapons systems and technological developments in recent years have led to an increase in their duration of operations and range. Has the limited infrastructure needed to move these armored columns and the onslaught of anti-tank weapons waiting around every corner affected Russia’s brute WWII-style approach? Ukrainian defenders are picking off Russian tanks like ducks on a pond.

Originally posted May 8th, 2015.

Stratfor called Russia’s new Armata tank “groundbreaking.” But should you fear it? The reality is more likely that in a war of two super powers, tanks of any kind are simply moving targets for laser guided munitions dropped from aircraft or handheld anti tank weapons like the TOW, Javelin, and NLAWS.

The Joint Direct Attack Munition, aka JDAM, has turned America’s dumb bombs into 2,000 pound guided packages of pure destruction. Watch the annihilation of a tank in this video after hit by a JDAM guided bomb. What can slow, heavy, expensive tanks do against inexpensive and speedy drones armed with JDAMs?

JDAM vs Tank

TOW Missile vs T-72 Tank In Slow Motion

Javelin missile system test fire

NLAW Anti Tank Weapon vs Tank

Meanwhile, in Russia, the Armata is showing some signs of growing pains.

Across an ocean, and in the face of laser guided bomb technology, mountainous tanks like the Abrams and Russia’s new Armata are about as effective as the Conestoga Wagon in modern warfare.

• DONBAS: Russian Tanks Face Gauntlet of Death from Javelin Wielding Ukrainians
• Ukraine a Graveyard of Russian Armored Vehicles