[jonascord]

NATO has not been sending their best toys to Kiev. It is standard practice to build two flavors of high tech toys. One for internal use, and a gelded model, without all the latest shoot-n-scoot see in the dark optics, computer guided munitions, and reactive Chobham ceramic/sandwich armor, for export.

The M1s that the Ukrainians are getting is just a mobile steel box.

That way, when the Russians inspect it and build a counter accordingly, all the latest Tom Swiftie magic is a complete surprise.

[buwaya]

The worst problem is that everyone has been sending miserly numbers of everything.

Consider Patriot batteries - the US plus Nato have @110 Patriot batteries in service (the US has 80 in active service, plus @40 in reserve). They sent 3 to Ukraine.

[hardspunned]

I made that same point when each Abrams that was committed was quickly dispatched. The Russians have explosive armor as well, it does not seem to provide much protection. I fear that the Abrams, fully equipped, is just as vulnerable. I hope you’re right. We can cross our fingers and whistle in harmony past the Uke graveyard.