The Death of Panzers

The Germans became the world's leading practioners of armored warfare during World War II, and in the Cold War their tank divisions were heirs to that tradition which stood in Moscow's path along the Elbe River.

The Germans are downsizing their heavy armor holdings (via Jane's):

The German Army plans to retain 350 Leopard 2 tanks, including 125 Leopard 2A5 models and 225 Leopard 2A6s (of which 70 are in the mine-protected Leopard 2A6M version) that will be used to sustain the German Army's remaining six 44-strong tank battalions.

Six tank battalions totalling 264 tanks is the operational force? I dare say this is the end of the panzers. What industrial base could support replacing a mere 35o main battle tanks with new comparable vehicles?

I lot is riding on our new future combat systems to replace our proven monsters with light vehicles that substitute technology for sheer bulk in order to survive on the battlefield.

Although I freely admit that the side without air superiority will probably lose heavy armor as easily as light armor to enemy precision air power.

But since we aren't likely to be on the receiving end of such firepower, we still need heavy armor I think, to protect against ground threats that even low-tech forces can employ.

We shall see if the wonder tank is built. If it isn't, who knows what will provide fast, protected firepower for rapid offensive operations.