Video: Gadhafi’s Abandoned Tanks

[Feuer Frei!]

Check out the video below of Libyan rebels roaming through a bombed out building containing dozens of what appear to be Soviet-made T-54/55 type main battle tanks at Gadhifi’s former Mitiga air base just outside Tripoli. This clip may well show how effective NATO airstrikes where at keeping a good amount of Gadhafi’s heavy out of the fight.

http://defensetech.org/2011/08/28/vi...andoned-tanks/

[Gerald]

Thanks to very intense and detailed aerial reconnaissance.

[Jimbuna]

A clear indication of how effective complete air superiority can be.

[Feuer Frei!]

Indeed. However, as a commenter suggested, the Tanks look in operational shape. Not heavily damaged. And as the commenter also suggested, Gadhafi probably didn't have many people skilled enough to operate the Tanks.
All points to consider, in this case.

[Jimbuna]

I'd have thought it was lacking enough people with the guts/stupidity to drive them out in the open knowing there were so many predators in the sky.

Notice how they never got a lot of the armament depots hidden in underground locations around civilian areas?

The rebels are re-arming themselves with great relish...never been better equipped.

[Torplexed]

Seems like ever since the Arab-Israeli wars it's always been the fate of T-54/55s to be lying about abandoned or knocked out in ignominious droves. Their only moment of triumph I recall was a North Vietnamese one driving through the gates of the Presidential Palace in Saigon in 1975.

[danasan]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I'd have thought it was lacking enough people with the guts/stupidity to drive them out in the open knowing there were so many predators in the sky.

snip

These tanks have only their blank armour. No active, reactive or even passive secondary armour. That might be good enough against infantry troops, or maybe in the streets of a town. Their AA might have been good enough in the 1940s or 1950s. But today there is no chance of surviving long enough to write down your last will, regarding the NATO air coverage there.

They are only hard targets for some exercises today, nothing else.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by danasan

These tanks have only their blank armour. No active, reactive or even passive secondary armour. That might be good enough against infantry troops, or maybe in the streets of a town. Their AA might have been good enough in the 1940s or 1950s. But today there is no chance of surviving long enough to write down your last will, regarding the NATO air coverage there.

They are only hard targets for some exercises today, nothing else.

Agreed....interesting to note the southern route out of Sirte has been left open whilst the rebels advance from the east and the west.

Anything fleeing south will be an easy target from the air.