Emmanuel Macron took charge, on Wednesday, of announcing the good news by telephone to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: France will deliver to its ally light combat tanks AMX-10 RC (cannon wheel), of French manufacture. A first. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than ten months ago, kyiv’s European allies have already delivered Soviet-designed tanks, but, according to AFP, never “Western-designed” tanks. If we do not yet know the number of tanks leaving for kyiv, or even their delivery date, the future operation delighted Volodymyr Zelensky, who split a “Thank you my friend! ” on Twitter with regard to its French counterpart.
Does this French aid open a decisive phase in the conflict? Will the announcement of this delivery push other allies of kyiv to act? Answers with Yohann Michel, research analyst at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Why are the AMX-10 RC the first Western-designed tanks sent by the allies?
Since the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian army has been scrapping with tanks. According to the magazine Defense & International Security, European countries contributed to equipping the Ukrainian battle tank fleet. Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia gave kyiv more than 300 tanks… of Soviet design. For the tanks of Western manufacture, it will therefore have been necessary for the Ukrainian forces to wait more than ten months. And to see the AMX-10 RC land: a 25-ton light tank, equipped with 105 mm guns.
“The Western design of the AMX-10 RC can be a game-changer if it simplifies the delivery of ammunition and spare parts, compared to a Soviet-designed machine”, advances Yohann Michel, contacted by 20 minutes. According to the researcher, the reluctance of the allies to commit this type of material could be explained for two reasons: a lack of available stock in the countries having it and the fear that the delivery of battle tanks would be perceived as an extreme by Russians.
France had 248 AMX-10 RC in September 2021, a tank designed in the 1970s and entered service in the French army in 1982. The review International Defense & Security specifies that this equipment is to be gradually replaced by Jaguar, a new generation machine (25-ton class).
Can these tanks help Ukraine win the war?
“This vehicle is designed for reconnaissance and has infantry support capabilities thanks to its gun. It’s not a battle tank,” warns the analyst. This limit raised, the AMX-10 RC can render multiple services to the Ukrainian army. These tanks are mounted on wheels and not on tracks, which makes them “very mobile”. Despite their seniority, they remain reliable and “efficient”, according to an adviser to the Elysée, interviewed by AFP. “Well handled, it can prove to be of great use in combat. It can pose a serious threat to many less armored Russian vehicles,” confirms Yohann Michel.
“They can serve as a very useful spearhead for counter-offensives (…). It’s an old armored beast, modernized over the years”, specifies the expert in military strategy Pierre Servent in the columns of the Parisian. The effectiveness of the AMX-10 RC will also depend on the number of models deployed in Ukraine, a figure that has not yet filtered. Especially since France will need time to train the Ukrainian crews in the handling of the machine.
Do these tanks announce other deliveries of French, European or American equipment?
By announcing the delivery of AMX-10 RC tanks, Paris, which in December only came in tenth position among Ukrainian supporters in terms of arms delivery according to a ranking by the Kiel Institute, is putting pressure on other partners. . While Germany is reluctant to deliver Leopard-2 combat tanks to Ukraine, French announcements are putting Chancellor Olaf Schloz in difficulty. Members of his coalition urged him to send the tanks requested by Ukraine.
“Once again, France is taking on the role that was expected of Germany and taking the lead itself. The ball is now in Berlin’s court,” Bundestag Defense Committee Chairwoman Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, an executive of the liberal FDP party, a member of the ruling coalition, told AFP.
For its part, the United States considers the “Bradley” vehicles as an option to help Ukraine. Equipped with a powerful cannon, the armored vehicle is used in particular as a transport for troops. According to Reuters, the US military has several thousand vehicles. But, like France, which refuses to provide heavier weapons like its Leclerc tanks, Joe Biden does not want to send Abrams tanks, despite complaints from kyiv.