47th Mechanized Brigade was never meant to ride Leopards
The late arrival of M1A1 Abrams tanks caused a reshuffle of tanks just weeks prior to the summer offensive.
Ukrainian 47th Mechanized Brigade was designed to be equipped primarily with US-supplied vehicles, including M1A1 Abrams tanks, multiple sources confirmed. Unlike many other units, 47th Mechanized Brigade was sent abroad in almost full strength, encompassing tankers and rear components.
Mechanized battalions received M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, while the tank battalion received M1 Abrams tanks. They all trained together in Germany, practicing various scenarios and assault operations. However, the tank battalion stayed behind prior to returning to Ukraine. The training on the M1A1 Abrams took longer than expected, and the transfer of M1A1 Abrams tanks was not approved in time.
The situation has placed the 47th Mechanized Brigade in an uncomfortable position, as it was intended to be the main force leading the Ukrainian offensive towards Melitopol. The Ukrainian command, unable to wait, made the decision to reassign a tank battalion from the 1st Tank Brigade. This particular battalion had recently returned to Ukraine with Leopard 2A6 tanks.
The tankers of the 47th Mechanized Brigade stayed in Germany, and waited for the approval. They have returned to Ukraine this fall, bringing their M1A1 Abrams tanks with them. It is yet to be determined whether they will be assigned back to the 47th Mechanized Brigade or to a different unit.
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This answers a number of questions I’ve been asking myself for some time. Thanks Jerome!
Further evidence, in my view, that the entire 2023 summer campaign was a half-bluff. Had to test the defenses, demonstrate that Ukraine could in fact use modern gear, and show that NATO/US leaders have no clue how to fight a modern war.
Ukraine is not spending all of 2024 playing defense.
NATO knows how to wage modern war… It just requires jets, helicopters and more ammunition, especially long-range missiles. The NATO doctrine is designed for total air support. But the UA doesn’t have that.
Don’t call it modern war. The only “modern” thing is the drones. Everything else are means and tactics from the First and Second World Wars.
Off topic, but I wrote an analysis in which I ask a lot of questions about the structure of the Ukrainian command and try to answer them. It may interest some people who want to know how the Ukrainian army is organized.
Automatic translation is average, except that they sometimes mistranslate “corps (d’armée)” as a “body”, instead of an (army) corps.
Good analysis Tristan. I was asking myself the same question.
Perhaps, the apparent hodgepodge of the Ukrainian command structure is on purpose? To confuse the russians. Since most of the fighting is done on company level, at most the battalion level, maybe it’s not that big of an issue. With bigger force concentrations falling victim to drones and artillery.
Maybe there is a lack of suitable staff personal. All corps, divisions and armies need a efficient command staff, with their own supporting rear area units. Perhaps the available personal is best used in the existing, ad-hoc structure and ukranie is simply making due with what’s available.
Thanks for the analysis!
If the probelms resulting from unclear structures do not effect the potential of the Ukraine forces in a negative way: Congrats to Ukraine!
I hope ruSSian military commanders are as irritated as you are. 😉
Interresting. In the “pentagon leaks”, the 47th mech was supposed to have M-55S tanks, not Abrams. Abrams make much more sense.
It’s a pity that the 47th brigade was rushed into the battle like this.
M-55S are a mystery to me.
Yes, I don’t know which brigades got them eventually. Oryx lists 1 destroyed and 1 damaged, and according to the footage, they saw combat near Kremina. Maybe the 21st mech brigade got them ?
67 mech Brigade operated those trash.