Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:34:58-2:35:13

What may replace Marine tanks after the missile shift

The move from Marine tanks toward anti-ship missiles may still create demand for a direct-fire armoured vehicle under another label.

Anti-Ship MissilesArmoured VehiclesDirect Fire SupportForce StructureTanksUS Marine Corps
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

What do you think of the US Marines giving up tanks for anti-ship missiles?

Short answer

A direct-fire armoured vehicle will probably reappear, but it may be framed as something other than a tank replacement.

Notes

The United States Marine Corps may eventually procure a direct-fire version of an armoured personnel carrier after trading tanks for anti-ship missiles. The new vehicle could be kept institutionally separate from the retired tank force. It may therefore avoid the tank-replacement label even if it restores part of the same battlefield function. Organizations can change labels and platforms while an underlying fire-support requirement persists.