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> a tank

Imprecise terminology often causes bad thinking. A “tank” could be a MBT, or it could be an armored personel carrier with very limited offensive capabilities.



I thought:

A APC isn't a tank, it's an APC.

If it's got say an autocannon, and/or ATGM it would be called an Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV)

Both those and tanks would all be considered Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV).


Even the lightest APC will have enough firepower to take out a Vespa. I don't think 120mm APDS is going to make a big difference.


And the lightest Panzerfaust tandem charge antitank rocket can kill the heaviest tank.

You can also equip like 30 people with that weapon and scatter then around forests, taking advantage of the tanks relatively poor visibility. (Tanks have cameras, periscopes and other optics, but usually are pretty bad at overall awareness unless the commander sticks their head out the top to look around)


Exactly. Nothing is invulnerable. And tanks in forests without infantry support are generally a bad idea.

The kind of armored vehicle you've got mostly matters in duels with other armored vehicles.


Well, a tank does consistently fire from 3km ranges. As a support vehicle, its essential in the long-range combat of today.

At 3km+ out, no Panzerfaust or AT4 can hit the tank. Only a guided Javelin, but those are heavy (heavy for an infantry to carry at least) and expensive.

But yes, the whole plan of today's combat is combined arms. Tanks doing what tanks do best: long range sniping and sometimes taking advantage of armor to say... get rid of anti-personel land-mines and other lesser explosives.




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