Hey Bill and all,
Here's my two cents.
Well done Canada, only wish Australia had of went with Leo2's instead of Abrams-just a personal thing as Abrams is still a huge improvement over our 1970's Leo1's.
No one can predict the future so one should be prepared to face all threats especially in a world where most if not all nations have access to advanced weapons. Large standing armies still exist and potentially western nations may have to face them (eg: North Korea).
Set piece battles have occurred since the 1970's involving large armoured forces. 1991 Desert Storm/Sabre comes to mind. The 2003 invasion of Iraq was also an armoured/mechanized affair.
IED's no doubt pose large risks to armour but it is not the death of armour. And as the troops are finding out on the ground 9 times out of 10 a "deadhead" with an RPG when faced by a tank or LAV rolling at him will panic and miss.
And finally, if governments don't keep buying armour what are we collectors going to do 50 years down the track?
Regards
