if tanks become obsolete, what will replace them?

Answer 1

Every year somebody declares tanks obsolete yet every war they are needed.

Read Tank Sergeant by Ralph Zumbro about the use of tanks in Vietnam. Most people don't even know we used them there. Tanks have been an integral part of our military since WW I ended.

They are not obsolete and they will continue to dominate the battlefield in one form or another.

edit: Richard C, it wasn't infantry that dislodged the Egyptians from the Sinai peninsula it was the Israeli 7th Armored Brigade. Simple counter-measures were developed to mitigate the threat of the new AT-3 Sagger missiles. There will always be a constant state of counter-measures and counter-counter-measures. Just look at the newest Shtora-2 active anti-ATGM system.

Answer 2

It's not really as simple as one piece of technology becoming totally obsolete. It's more the case that things become modified over time and integrated into a wider tactical picture. Most Armed Forces regard tanks as being an important part of their land forces' capability, but one that should be used in conjunction with other capabilities. To work effectively, tanks should work closely with infantry, artillery, tactical airpower and, of course, lots of timely and well-organised logistic support. None of these things can really be said to dominate the battlefield, and none can therefore be regarded as truly obsolete simply by failing to exercise an overwhelming influence. Rather, the combined-arms approach, in which a 'golf-bag' of capabilities is deployed, is the key to battlefield success.

Answer 3

i don't think tanks will ever be obsolete, The British and American tanks are some of the best in the world. Army's will always need troops on the ground and tanks are highly effective in battle and i know that British tanks were scoring hits over 2.5 km away during the Iraq war.

Answer 4

Tanks will be replaced by whatever makes them obsolete obviously.

Heavy frontline tanks will most likely be replaced by unmanded low level planes, more accurate artillary, more accurate short range missiles; basically general improvements in weapons that allow the operator to stand off away from the battle, with a sufficiently low risk to own troops and civilians.

Small patrol tanks will most likely be replaced by unmanned vehicles and planes, with the ability to neutralise what they discover and depend themselves. Such vehicles already exist to an extent, but they need to have them capable of doing the task as well as the small patrol tanks, see things as well, call in artillery as well, neutralise threats as well.

Answer 5

Tanks would never be obsolete, i just think in the very near future they will be unmanned like a lot of the military vehicles.

Answer 6

Mr. T says, "Giant robots with freeway on-ramps for arms and hearts as black as coal. Real doomsday pieces of machinery capable of launching tactical nukes.
Invulnerable to everything except attacks from some puny guy name Solid SNAKE. Come on Metal Gear! Step on the fool already."

http://static.flickr.com/48/128423062_56fa54bd7c.jpg

Answer 7

I replaced the hot water tank in my loft with a barrel

Answer 8

Metal Gear!

Answer 9

The stryker like vehical which can carry another weapon system where most have the main machinegun.

Answer 10

huge nuclear powered armoured bipeds armed with hellfire missiles and 2 gow 8 eliminator machine guns...ouchh!!!