Now that the United States Army officially canceled the M10 Booker, the service is left to ponder what to do with the 80 contractually acquired units.
One option that some have proposed is potentially sending the vehicle to Ukraine to fight against Russia.
Some have argued that the M10 Booker would be a valuable asset in Ukrainian hands, while others have claimed that the vehicle would be nothing more than an easy target for Russian drones.
M10 Booker: Replenishing Ukraine’s Armored Forces
Despite not fulfilling any of the US Army’s needs, the M10 Booker is still a good vehicle in its own right.
It was designed to provide light infantry brigades with mobile, protected firepower. It fills a niche between heavy main battle tanks like the M1 Abrams and lighter armored vehicles. Ukraine’s forces, which often operate in mixed terrain and urban environments, could benefit from a vehicle that offers mobility and firepower without the logistical burden of a full MBT.
Existing units may become surplus as the US Army canceled the M10 Booker program. Currently, the Army has no idea what to do with the units it already has. The options are to give the Bookers to someone else, integrate them into armored units, or seal them up in a warehouse indefinitely. Rather than mothballing or scrapping these vehicles, transferring them to Ukraine would allow the US to recoup some value from the investment while supporting an ally in need.
Ukraine Needs All the Armor and Fire It Can Get
Additionally, Ukraine needs all the armor it can get.
After three years of fighting, Ukraine’s armored reserves have fallen dangerously low. Because of the current state of the European defense industry, the ability to replace Ukraine’s lost armor is limited. Sending the Booker, even just a few dozen, would go a long way in restocking Ukraine’s armored divisions.
Sending the M10 Booker would send a strong message that the US intends to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ever since Trump entered office, US-Ukrainian relations have been shaky.
Sending the Booker, while not much in terms of numbers, would at least assure Ukraine and the rest of the world that the US intends to continue supporting Ukraine.
Although the M10 Booker is being phased out, real-world combat data from Ukraine could provide valuable insights into its performance. Sending the Booker to Ukraine would provide designers with valuable data that could influence the creation of better vehicles down the line.
The “light tank” would face combat conditions in rough terrain against the latest Russian anti-tank systems. This would give GDLS and other manufacturers valuable information on what works and does not work for lighter systems.
The Booker Might Not Make a Difference
While there are plenty of reasons to send the M10, there are also a myriad of reasons why sending it may not be the best idea.
The M10 Booker is a relatively new and unproven platform. Ukraine’s military logistics already have to maintain and support multiple types of MBTs, IFVs, and other combat vehicles are already stretched thin. Introducing a new vehicle type would require training, spare parts, maintenance infrastructure, and integration into existing command and control systems. This could create more problems than it solves.
Because the M10 Booker program was short-lived, the number of units available is likely small. By all accounts, the US Army will only have around 80 Bookers in its inventory when production ends and will likely keep a handful for training and testing purposes. This limits the strategic impact of the transfer and raises questions about whether it’s worth the effort to integrate such a limited fleet into Ukraine’s forces.
Because the M10 Booker was meant to be a lightweight alternative to the Abrams, the “tank” was lighter in weight, yet at the cost of its armor. This lighter armor puts it at a severe disadvantage compared to other tanks and IFVs. Considering the range of anti-tank weapons that Russia possesses, the M10 would probably make for an easy target with its large profile. Drones would be an even bigger problem for the Booker, as its light armor would provide very little protection against the drone swarms in Ukraine.
Prolonging a Losing War
The US has been trying to engage Russia diplomatically to convince both sides to end the war. Providing Ukraine with advanced armored vehicles could be perceived by Russia as a significant escalation and may hinder these attempts to provoke peace talks.
The Kremlin likely would not see the M10 itself as an escalation, but the US seeing any armored vehicle to Ukraine may be perceived as going against Russia’s interest. Granted, this risk exists with any military aid, but introducing a new class of armored vehicles might be considered exceptionally provocative.
Other platforms, such as the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), are being considered for transfer to Ukraine and may be more suitable. The AMPV offers greater versatility and better survivability and is already being produced in larger numbers. It also shares components with other U.S. weapons, simplifying logistics and maintenance.
About the Author:
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
