How many combat effective light tanks could the U.S. dredge up from around the world if necessary?

[Dayton3]

Say the U.S. wanted to gather a group of combat effective light tanks (300 or so minimum) to provide some armor for the 82nd and 101st Divisions.

The only factors the tanks need to have in common are

1) traced
2) diesel fueled
3) 30 tons or lighter
4) be armed with standard 105 mm cannon (plus one or two secondary machine guns).

If they didn't want to wait for a U.S. manufacturer to produce them how many could the U.S. obtain by purchasing those in the inventories of other nations?

 

[Jarlaxle]

Say the U.S. wanted to gather a group of combat effective light tanks (300 or so minimum) to provide some armor for the 82nd and 101st Divisions.

The only factors the tanks need to have in common are

1) traced
2) diesel fueled
3) 30 tons or lighter
4) be armed with standard 105 mm cannon (plus one or two secondary machine guns).

If they didn't want to wait for a U.S. manufacturer to produce them how many could the U.S. obtain by purchasing those in the inventories of other nations?

None. I'm not sure there is a single tank that meets those criteria.

 

[JGalt]

Russia relies pretty heavily on tanks. but I think they're becoming obsolete. Shoulder-fired laser-guided missiles, helicopters, and drones can easily take those out.

 

[Missourian]

BAE Systems Unveils New Light Tank For US Army - MilitaryLeak.COM

On April 22, 2020, BAE Systems has demonstrated its newest light tank that developed for the U.S. Army Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program. The new light

militaryleak.com

 

[mudwhistle]

Say the U.S. wanted to gather a group of combat effective light tanks (300 or so minimum) to provide some armor for the 82nd and 101st Divisions.

The only factors the tanks need to have in common are

1) traced
2) diesel fueled
3) 30 tons or lighter
4) be armed with standard 105 mm cannon (plus one or two secondary machine guns).

If they didn't want to wait for a U.S. manufacturer to produce them how many could the U.S. obtain by purchasing those in the inventories of other nations?

We've replaced them with Bradleys.
We used to have the Sheridan....but that's been fazed out.
Now we have M1A2 Abrahms Heavy Tanks, The Stryker, and Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
The Army is fazing out the HumVeh and now has this little number.

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

They do plan to upgrade the Bradley with more armor and a 30mm cannon replacing the 25mm automatic gun currently installed.

 

[whitehall]

Dredge up? The U.S. produces about ten million motor vehicles per year. A critical need for Tanks ain't on the Pentagon's short list while Carriers are cranked out yearly.













c

 

[Dayton3]

Dredge up? The U.S. produces about ten million motor vehicles per year. A critical need for Tanks ain't on the Pentagon's short list while Carriers are cranked out yearly.

1) Each aircraft carrier takes 7 years to build. 5 if they push it.

2) Regular main battle tanks can't be air dropped. Light tanks can and have been before.

 

[harmonica]

Say the U.S. wanted to gather a group of combat effective light tanks (300 or so minimum) to provide some armor for the 82nd and 101st Divisions.

The only factors the tanks need to have in common are

1) traced
2) diesel fueled
3) 30 tons or lighter
4) be armed with standard 105 mm cannon (plus one or two secondary machine guns).

If they didn't want to wait for a U.S. manufacturer to produce them how many could the U.S. obtain by purchasing those in the inventories of other nations?

....those units are designed to fight without armor --plain and simple

https://home.army.mil/bragg/index.php/units-tenants/82nd-airborne-division#:~:text=The%20mission%20of%20the%2082nd,support%20of%20U.S.%20national%20interests

.

 

[RetiredGySgt]

there is a light vehicle the army has that has little armor and a 105 gun. deployed with stryker units as I understand it, sorry dont have my home computer cant give you the name.