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My understanding is that if a military is not protecting tanks with a screening force of infantry to counter ambushers equipped with anti-tank missiles (since,

My understanding is that if a military is not protecting tanks with a screening force of infantry to counter ambushers equipped with anti-tank missiles (since, unlike video games, tanks/armored vehicles and infantry are intended to work together hand-in-hand to support each other) and if that military has not established air superiority or provided proper air defenses against drones (e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb5_F4_Eod8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb5_F4_Eod8), then yes, their tanks are going to be ineffective and vulnerable. But, as the proverbial doctor said, "If it hurts when you do that, well, then don't do that." [EDIT] It also doesn't help if the opponent has several big friends with immense reconnaissance capabilities that are telling them exactly where the tanks are at all times, allowing them to pick the best spots for ambush to make them much, much more effective than they normally would be.

crubier 5y ago
If you have infantry covering the ground around the tanks and air superiority, what are the tanks useful for ? It seems that you’ve already won by the time the tanks start being useful.
- ThrowawayR2 5y ago
  My understanding is that, in addition to killing other tanks, tanks can be used to destroy enemy strong points and structures/fortifications both with more precision and faster response time than artillery or airstrikes, preserving the lives of friendly infantry. (Tanks usually carry more than one type of ammunition for their main gun, e.g. https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/120.htm https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/120.htm , allowing them to serve multiple roles.) They also help counter the IFVs/APCs that the enemy is using to transport and support their infantry.
- chipsa 5y ago
  Infantry protects tanks and tanks protect infantry. Tanks provide mobile protected firepower(you need a ATGM to hurt one at range). Tanks can do a number on infantry that doesn't have ATGMs or tanks of their own, and are very effective at reducing bunkers.
_hypx 5y ago
Tanks are turning into a weapon that can only be used in special cases. It's likely that drones will replace tanks as the most important attack weapon on the battlefield.

crubier 5y ago

If you have infantry covering the ground around the tanks and air superiority, what are the tanks useful for ? It seems that you’ve already won by the time the tanks start being useful.

ThrowawayR2 5y ago
My understanding is that, in addition to killing other tanks, tanks can be used to destroy enemy strong points and structures/fortifications both with more precision and faster response time than artillery or airstrikes, preserving the lives of friendly infantry. (Tanks usually carry more than one type of ammunition for their main gun, e.g. https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/120.htm https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/120.htm , allowing them to serve multiple roles.) They also help counter the IFVs/APCs that the enemy is using to transport and support their infantry.
chipsa 5y ago
Infantry protects tanks and tanks protect infantry. Tanks provide mobile protected firepower(you need a ATGM to hurt one at range). Tanks can do a number on infantry that doesn't have ATGMs or tanks of their own, and are very effective at reducing bunkers.

_hypx 5y ago

Tanks are turning into a weapon that can only be used in special cases. It's likely that drones will replace tanks as the most important attack weapon on the battlefield.