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A basic lesson learnt by US and coalition troops engaged
in counter-insurgency operations in Iraq, as well as the Israelis in
their Low Intensity Conflict with the Palestinians, is that a fully
integrated combat team is crucial in any urban warfighting
environment. Across the spectrum of combat action in urban warfare, a
mutually supporting combined arms (armor-infantry) tactical element
can achieve success while keeping casualties, as well as collateral
damage to a minimum.
 Due to its nature, fighting in urban environments rapidly
decentralizes and is extremely difficult to control even at the lowest
tactical fighting level. At small-unit tactical levels, (squad and
platoon) light infantry forces (not adequately armored) face serious
disadvantages. While moving exposed in an urban environment,
dismounted infantry troops may be subjected to intense hostile fire,
sources of which are difficult to locate. Normal small unit weapons
lack adequate firepower for subduing well protected enemy bunkers and,
especially, carefully camouflaged positions in buildings.
Decentralized tactical movements through built-up areas results in
severe difficulties in maintaining control and mutual identification.
In this type of situation, the danger of fratricide casualties also
becomes acute. This inferiority can be compensated for by using
armored vehicles like the ones available in mechanized infantry units,
provided that the vehicles are adequately protected by add-on armor or
other protective suites capable of withstanding
Rocket Propelled
Grenades (RPG) and heavy Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)
attacks.
Even though armored, tanks and mechanized infantry units also face
dangers in confined urban areas due to limited all-round observation
and restrictions to maneuver capabilities. This places them at an
especially severe disadvantage when operating alone. During urban
encounters by US armored elements in Iraq, troops reported several
effective tactics used by insurgents, including sniping and dropping
grenades from rooftops or upper floor windows, in an attempt to attack
vehicle crews and commanders through open hatches. Other tactics
included simultaneous attacks on both flanks from alleys, allowing the
insurgents to fire RPGs from close range at these relatively weak
areas of the tank’s armor.
Tanks and other armored vehicles are not invincible, especially in
urban terrain, where they are vulnerable to attacks from close range
by man-portable anti-tank weapons such as RPGs. Since the urban
scenario has no "frontline", attacks can come not only from the front,
where the tanks are heavily protected, but also from above, and from
the flanks or the rear, aiming at the vehicle's weak spots. Attacks by
IEDs and mines can also come from below the surface.
Although urban warfare is not exactly the tanker's dream, a
significant number of future battles will inevitably take place in
this environment. The value of tank support cannot be underestimated
in this high-risk environment, in which a commander wishes to use all
available combat elements in order to reduce casualties. Modifications
to tanks for use in urban combat conditions will continue to make them
indispensable partners in the future warfighting team.
The following
topics are covered in this article:
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