This modified Leopard 1 tank, with a 35mm Skymaster automatic machine gun, will strike fear into Vladimir Putin’s heart. Most importantly it is ready soon, can shoot down multiple drones at low cost, is highly mobile, and provides a high level of protection to the crew. We have also already seen 35mm calibre guns on other vehicles take out Russian tanks on multiple occasions.
Using expensive missiles to shoot down thousands of cheap drones is unsustainable, and has been exploited by the Russian invaders. But this tank, with thousands of rounds of cheap ammunition, can take on the task. Another important element is that Rheinmetall, the tank manufacturer, has opened a workshop in Ukraine. This is a vital step towards giving Kyiv what it needs to win: producing and repairing weaponry in-country, rather than relying on costly, sometimes delayed, imports.
This could tip the balance in Ukraine’s favour as much as any weapon in the coming months. It seems likely that, “he who wins the drone battle will win this war”. At the moment Ukraine seems more adept and innovative in this area, and the advent of this tank could not only help spur on the ground forces to victory but also protect the towns and villages which are so often indiscriminately attacked by Russian drones.
The Frankenstein tank makes complete sense on the modern battlefield; it may be not a tank in the purest sense, but we tank men down the ages like to think we are flexible and adaptable. We did after all get off our horses in the First World War, to the huge chagrin of many.
Let us hope the designers of our “new” model army and our “new” Challenger 3 tank are taking note in Whitehall and Westminster.