In the image of the enemy: which tanks play the role of the enemy in the armies of the world

In the armed forces of many countries, there are specially created units that portray the enemy during various military exercises.

In the USA, for example, the so-called "32nd Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment" existed for a long time in Fort Irwin (Mojave Desert, California).

He was armed not only with armored vehicles decorated for Soviet equipment on the chassis of the M551 Sheridan light tanks removed from service, but also with real T-72 and BMP-1.

Later, this unit was disbanded, but its tasks were performed by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, which received instead of the "five hundred and fifty first" imitations of the T-80 and BMP-2 based on the M113 armored personnel carrier.

These running models do not have real weapons, but are equipped with laser devices, perfect sights and computer equipment that allow you to play "battles" with the participation of entire formations of ground forces.

It was recently reported that the T-72B3M will now be manufactured using M2A2 Bradley stored in storage.

The People's Liberation Army of China has also formed similar units, they are armed with old Type 62, Type 59 and more modern Type 96A. Last year it became known that deliveries of samples similar to the M1A2 Abrams had begun.

Probably, after the Celestial Empire began using such equipment, they decided to respond overseas by creating their own "heavy BMP VN17", first introduced by the PRC industry only in 2018.

In Germany, despite the fact that the Bundeswehr at one time got thousands of T-55s and T-72s from the GDR, the platforms for the fake T-80 "enemy" were Leopard 2, very vaguely resembling the original.

The British Army uses former tanks from private collections that were previously in service with the Warsaw Pact countries. In addition, the BMP-3 mounted on the Toyota Hilux regularly "fight".

In France, the "enemies" are the decommissioned AMX-30 Brenus with dynamic protection. Fake fuel tanks and folded underwater driving tubes are also mounted on them.

Neutral Sweden did not stand aside in this matter - in 2021, light IKV 91 of national production, which had not been used for about two decades, were involved in the exercises as an enemy.

Alexey Moiseev