Problems Experienced by Tanks and Armoured Vehicles in Urban Area Battles

The wars that took place after the Cold War were mostly fought in the form of urban battles. In these battles, armies, which were organised and equipped for conventional and nuclear warfare, faced major problems. 

Tanks and other armoured vehicles were the most affected by these problems. Because, it has been observed that these vehicles, which cost a lot of money, are not very useful in residential areas, on the contrary, they are easily shot and lost. In this article, the reasons for the problems experienced by armoured tanks and other vehicles in built-up areas will be discussed. 

Characteristics of Built-up Areas

Built-up area battles have some unique characteristics. These characteristics reduce the superiority of tanks and armoured vehicles while highlighting their weaknesses. For example, fire and surveillance opportunities are limited in built-up areas. While this situation neutralises the fire superiority of long-range weapons such as tank guns, it further reduces the already limited visibility.

In addition, while providing good cover and concealment for the defender, it also limits the manoeuvring capabilities of armoured units. Close combat becomes more important in urbanised areas. This has fatal consequences for tanks and armoured vehicles that cannot see their immediate surroundings well.

One of the biggest problems in built-up areas is the presence of a civilian population in the area where the battle takes place. Since the civilian population limits military operations, it is not possible to fire everywhere with tank guns. While the defending side can effectively use mines, IEDs, booby traps and snipers, the attacking side does not have the same freedom of movement. 

Built-up areas can be easily fortified by the defender. Buildings can be demolished in a controlled manner and the attacking side can be channelled to tank destruction zones. Since tanks and armoured vehicles can be fired upon from any building with a variety of weapons, personnel cannot open the turret hatch and stand outside. They can only see their surroundings by using the limited surveillance devices inside the vehicle. 

Vulnerabilities of Tanks and Armoured Vehicles

Buildings, debris, barricades and other obstructions to visibility further impair the crew's ability to observe in all directions with their sighting instruments in populated areas. The smoke from the shells and explosives used in combat and the dust from collapsed buildings make it almost impossible for the crew to see anything. This reduces the situational awareness of the crew of tanks and other armoured vehicles. This makes tanks and armoured vehicles vulnerable to enemy tank destroyers and anti-tank weapons.

Tanks and armoured vehicles cannot enter any place unnoticed due to the loud noise they make. It is therefore difficult for them to create a raiding effect. On the other hand, barricades, narrow streets and alleys and piles of rubble make it difficult for them to move quickly or even to advance. Tanks cannot cross every bridge due to their weight. Effectively used mines and IEDs also impede their advance.

Tanks cannot fire in the desired direction because of the length of their guns and the poles and other obstacles in narrow streets and roads. In fact, if civilians in residential areas have not been evacuated, they can fire almost anywhere. This is because tank fire damages the buildings where civilians live.

Tanks and armoured vehicles entering residential areas can be easily destroyed by anti-tank weapons or even Molotov cocktails. For this reason, tanks and armoured vehicles must be protected by infantry. In addition, they cannot act alone due to the necessity of supporting each other.

Tank guns have maximum and minimum elevation limits. This means that they cannot fire at the tops of buildings and ground targets in the immediate vicinity. This reduces their defence against anti-tank guns mounted on the roofs and upper floors of buildings. In addition, tank skirmishers can easily get close to tacs because of the close-quarters fire and dead zones in the observation area. 

The movement of tanks with infantry reduces these vulnerabilities. However, tanks with active and reactive armour can also damage nearby infantry with explosions caused by the reaction of the armour when the tank is fired upon. For this reason, infantry cannot advance in the immediate vicinity of such tanks. 

Tanks and armoured vehicles are more prone to breakdowns in residential areas due to the hard ground, metal fragments from collapsed buildings, excavation, berms and the like. Especially track failures are more common. For this reason, tanks and armoured vehicles need more supply and maintenance in residential areas.

Conclusion

All these considerations require tanks and armoured vehicles to be used less frequently in built-up areas than in open areas. Their use is limited to supporting the infantry with their fire, transporting supplies to the most advanced elements, surveillance with thermal cameras and night vision equipment, wounded evacuation and personnel transport.