Prior tanks donated by North Atlantic Treaty Corporation (NATO) associates have been in the sort of refurbished Russian tanks, mainly upgraded early-design T-72 tanks regarded as (at very best) a little inferior to the most recent Russian tanks. Before donations these kinds of as Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles are observed as much more defensive weapons, when HIMARS guided rockets are extra of an oblique support weapon.
Nevertheless detractors (such as the Kremlin) scoff that Western tanks will be missing in amount and top quality in opposition to the most up-to-date Russian tanks, these kinds of as the T-72B3 and T-90, it is actually extensively recognized that the Leopards and Challengers are exceptional.
In individual, the standard Russian 125mm armour-piercing shells have been proven to be unable to penetrate the Challenger 2’s frontal armour (wherever it is the thickest) during the 1 situation they have seen overcome in the 1991 Persian Gulf War.
These Western tanks are significantly heavier on account of thicker armour and superior protection. Much more importantly, they have better gunsights and optics, strengthening the likelihood of successfully hitting opponents with the initial shot, an essential thing to consider in tank-versus-tank combat.