The US Military Doesn't Want Tanks: A Look at Ukraine's Demands for Offensives

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, there has been a growing demand from Ukrainian officials and military leaders for tanks and ATACMs (Army Tactical Advanced Combat Missiles). But what drives these demands, and what do they hope to achieve? According to Shashank Joshi, defence editor of The Economist, 'it's all about setting the stage for offensives'. In other words, Ukraine is seeking to use these long-range missiles, which could potentially hit targets inside Russia, to 'degrade Russian logistics and create the conditions for what we'd call manoeuvre mobile advance'.

One of the key aspects of Ukraine's demands is its request for more armoured vehicles. As Joshi noted, 'the Ukrainians are very open about the need for more armoured vehicles.' This desire for increased mobility is crucial to conducting a large-scale offensive, as General Valery Zaluzhny has emphasized. According to Zaluzhny, Ukraine wants to equip its entire corps with these vehicles in order to carry out a successful offensive.

However, there are some challenges standing in the way of Ukraine's demands. As Michal Baranowski, managing director of Warsaw-based GMF East, pointed out, 'Russia still has an overwhelming advantage over Ukraine when it comes to long-range artillery and tanks'. In other words, Ukraine lacks the firepower needed to effectively counter Russia's military capabilities.

Despite these challenges, Ukraine remains committed to its goal of conducting a large-scale offensive as soon as possible. According to Joshi, this requires a large army corps and lots of protected mobility – exactly what Ukraine is seeking from its allies and partners. In conclusion, while there are many factors at play in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, it's clear that both sides are seeking to gain an advantage on the battlefield. By understanding the demands being made by Ukrainian officials and military leaders, we can better grasp the complexities of this ongoing conflict.

Us military doesn't want tanks