Israel’s tank commanders are studying Russia’s mistakes
Armour will be central to a Gaza invasion, despite its vulnerabilities
LIKE EVERY modern army, Israel’s generals have been watching the battles in Ukraine over the past year and a half closely and taking notes. Now that the tank battalions of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are poised to enter Gaza in force, following the terror attack on Israeli communities on October 7th in which more than 1,400 were murdered, those lessons are particularly relevant. Tanks, though increasingly vulnerable to drones, loitering munitions and modern anti-tank guided missiles, which strike from the top, remain the only platform on the battlefield combining mobility, protection and serious firepower. They will form the vanguard of Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza, blasting a path for the infantry units behind them.
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