Les chars, un héritage intempestif ? Focus stratégique, No. 53, September 2014
Regarded as a revolutionary weapon at the beginning of the 20th century, the tank is now suffering from a lack of legitimacy: in the last 20 years, most European states have drastically reduced their tank fleets, sometimes even entirely removing them from their arsenals.
This dwindling number of tanks among European land forces is worrisome, as non-state enemies tend to display improved fire power while the rest of the world builds up their militaries. The current geopolitical context and the political aversion to human losses in the West, but also the tactical conditions of probable ground operations and the limitations inherent in airpower, all question the vaunted obsolescence of the tank. Prudence therefore dictates not to cut further our armored forces, but rather adapt them to the present and foreseeable circumstances. Far from obsolete, tanks are an enduring capability tailored for reassurance in Europe.
This content is available in French: Les chars, un héritage intempestif ?