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Can modern MBTs effectively operate in jungle terrain as part of a combined arms force like their forebears did 50 and 75 yrs ago?
I think so. Let's consider why 1/ https://twitter.com/TankerAussie/status/1263707904923668480
I think so. Let's consider why 1/ https://twitter.com/TankerAussie/status/1263707904923668480
Would the Aus M1A1 AIM perform as well under similar conditions in such challenging terrain? Tough act to follow. Centurions performance in Vietnam between 68-71 was highly distinguished.
The 4 x 12 month rotations resulted in the award of 3 Battle honours (Binh Ba, Coral Balmoral & Hat Dich) and the Vietnam theatre honour. The Cent proved it's early detractors wrong in ever way and became an indispensable component of the combined arms team.
To the Officers and Soldiers of the Royal Australian Regiment the Centurion Tank was "worth it's weight in gold". The black hats loved them too. 58 vehs served in Vietnam, 42 suffered battle damage, 6 beyond economical repair with only 2 crewman KIA over 4 yrs.
They said the Cent wasn't suitable to op in SVN. That it was to boggey, would be restricted to the base & if they ever did get out couldn't keep up with the Inf. They were wrong. A ripper story about the use of Tks in complex terrain doing traditional Tk/Inf co op is this one.
Key strengths of the platform were it's weight, mobility and ground pressure. The ability to penetrate the jungle & crush the bamboo was unequalled. Combined with the vehs fearsome ammo capacity (62 main gun including the superb Cannister round, 4k 12.7mm and 9k 7.62mm)
and highly reliable weapon systems soon resulted in the Viet Cong breaking contact "90 percent of the time" when in a fight once they heard the Tks coming. It is an undisputed fact that the deployment of the Cent Tk saved Australian Soldiers lives, there were no more Long Tan's.
So 50 yrs later the Australian Army operates the M1A1 AIM. If it had to return to the jungle to conduct foundation warfighting in complex terrain could it? I think it could and here's why- (look familiar?)
Let's consider mobility. The A1 is approx 10 tonnes heavier than the Cent was, has superior on road & off-road mobility & operational range, has triple the horse power & double the power/weight ratio & only a slightly higher ground pressure at 13.1 PSI compared to the Cents 12.5.
Lethality wise. The A1 carries 1/3 less main gun ammunition, slightly less 12.7mm but more 7.2mm ammo than the Cent. More importantly the all important muzzle action cannister round is available in 120mm with it's excellent bunker busting HEAT companion.
Protection wise. The A1s protection remains class equalling with numerous armour packages, supporting ERA, mine protection, compartmentalize ammo & fuel and fire suppression systems available. The survivability metrics of the A1 are orders of magnitude greater than the Cent.
Last and most important is the all important logistics. The Aus Army Tk Sqns are supported by a highly mobile, protected and lethal A1 Supporting Tracked Echelon. Integral ammunition, fuel, repair parts and stores constitute the commanders reserve.
All vehicles within the A1 from the repair and recovery assets to the resupply and medical platforms are tracked variants of the M113AS4 family of vehicles. A capability the SSMs and SQs of the Centurion Sqns were sadly lacking, limiting their range & reliance on aerial resupply.
The Aus Army M1A1 is more mobile, lethal, survivable & better logistically supported than old faithful that so successfully served in SVN. There is no evidence to suggest that if called apoun to do so it couldn't do it again. With the right support tks thrive in complex terrain.
