Loss of weapons in Ukraine deals heavy blow to the Western military-industrial complex

As Ria Novosti reported on January 4, journalists from Military Watch magazine included the heavy losses of Western armored vehicles in Ukraine in the list of "Top 10 military events in 2023".

Military Watch said that the initial phase of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ offensive in June 2023 saw a series of top-of-the-line armored vehicles, quickly supplied by the West. However, they began to suffer heavy losses. Videos emerged showing Leopard 2A4 and Leopard 2A6 tanks being destroyed by a series of Russian armored vehicles, along with other weapons. The same thing happened in the following months with British Challenger 2s and French AMX-10RCs. In September 2023, after the US transferred M1A1 Abrams to Ukraine, these vehicles were reportedly kept away from the front line to avoid damage.

"Since Western armored vehicles have been praised for decades as leading the world in performance, the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine could undermine the reputation of the Western military-industrial complex, as well as its combat capabilities," Military Watch said.

According to Military Watch, even spare parts cannot save German and French tanks and armored vehicles from destruction on the Ukrainian fronts. In addition, the Ukrainian military is forced to preserve and protect the M1A1 Abrams tanks to “avoid damaging the reputation of key American armored vehicles.”

"All of the above vehicles have been repeatedly promoted by the West as miracle weapons that can turn the tide on the battlefield. However, their unimpressive results largely echo the sad experience of similar Leopards and Abrams in Syria and Iraq," said Military Watch.