According to The New York Times, Western tanks sent to Ukraine are largely unused. They are hidden in forests and covered with camouflage netting to avoid detection by enemy drones.
A tank, which costs an average of $10 million, has proven powerless against the cheap drones that now dominate the battlefield. As a result, these expensive vehicles have found another use.
Tank Tractors
About half of the tank battalion has been repurposed for use by drone operators. The remaining Western tanks are sometimes used to tow damaged vehicles, essentially serving as expensive tow trucks.
According to some reports, of the approximately 82 Abrams tanks supplied, about 25 have been knocked out. Furthermore, of the 10 tanks donated by Sweden, only one remains in service.
A Pile of Useless Tanks
Experts estimate that Ukraine has received more than 800 battle tanks from its Western allies to date. The deliveries included both modernized Soviet-era tanks and modern Western models.
The tanks were delivered in several batches, beginning in 2022.
