'Tank!!' The Psychological Impact Of Armour

Mobility, firepower and protection. Three qualities of the main battle tank that ensure that they are retained, modernised or replaced.

- Stephen W. Miller

The tank is a uniquely valued battlefield asset due to its unique combination of mobility, firepower, and protection. It is equally capable of executing offensive and defensive operations with the ability to shift from one to the other literally in minutes. The tank can also demoralize an opponent sowing confusion and fear thereby breaking down the cohesion of their combat and support forces. It possesses arguably the greatest capacity to physically destroy an enemy and his assets of any other single ground combat system. Yet it is its ability to apply precise fires while moving at speed and to reposition to attack or defend from unexpected quarters at will that are it’s most significant attribute. In many ways the physiological impact is the tanks greatest contribution.

It is the combination of mobility, firepower, and protection that defines the tank. The impact of these attributes is not necessarily dependant on a perfect mix of these characteristics. In fact, history has repeatedly shown that small numbers of tanks even with lesser capabilities have dominated battlefields. The success of Japan’s lightly armoured and armed tanks in overcoming the British Commonwealth defence of the Malaya peninsula in 1942 is a case in point. The fact is that the tanks attributes are multiplied when it is employed and properly supported in terrain and conditions where or when it is not anticipated. It is a tactical lesson armies operating in the Asian-Pacific appear to have taken to heart as they acquire not only modern main battle tanks but develop and field other highly manoeuvrable and deployable direct fire gun systems.

Manoeuvre Tanks