{"id":15223,"date":"2020-03-26T21:42:24","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T21:42:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/26\/the-marines-want-to-get-rid-of-their-tanks-heres-why\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T20:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T20:35:09","slug":"the-marines-want-to-get-rid-of-their-tanks-heres-why","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/03\/26\/the-marines-want-to-get-rid-of-their-tanks-heres-why\/","title":{"rendered":"The Marines want to get rid of their tanks. Here\u2019s why."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A series of wargames <\/a>conducted between 2018 and 2019 helped inform the Corps\u2019 decision to divest of tanks and outmoded units and equipment that will have trouble surviving in fight with peer adversaries like China, according to a Marine Corps force redesign report.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From those wargames<\/a> the Corps learned that the unit that shoots first has a \u201cdecisive advantage\u201d on the battlefield and forces that can operate inside the range of enemy long-range precision fires \u201care more operationally relevant than forces which must rapidly maneuver to positions outside the \u201dweapons engagement zone, the report reads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Corps\u2019 decision to divest of tanks, cut ground cannon artillery and light attack air platforms has stoked some criticism. Tanks historically have had success in high-end and urban warfare for decades boasting devastating firepower highly lethal to ground forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\t