If we can invest money and training into special forces and get results, why not do the same for tanks? Think about it, you would have high-tech tanks from the highest bidder being used with unparalled skill by crewmen who are the best at what they do. Not just tanks, but jets, missleboats, and other vehicles that can have elite forces in them, wouldn't that be a useful asset on the battlefield?

To big , to loud, they give off too much of a signiture not good if you want a surgical strike. They also need to be resuped and refitted far to often to be used in any SF role but are good for supporting such operations when the need arises.

Well you have to realize what special forces are. They are for "special" missions. Tanks fight in conventional combat.

I think he just wants elite armored formations. Not really for stealth or anything...

yea, just the best of the best for whatever they do. So for tank combat, you have elite tank units to ensure maxium effectiveness with the most powerful weapons.

Originally Posted by WarMachine

yea, just the best of the best for whatever they do. So for tank combat, you have elite tank units to ensure maxium effectiveness with the most powerful weapons.

Well there are already tank units that have a more elite status then others. They're the first to receive new gear and stuff.

In reality though, are there really armoured formations in modern western armies that can be considered 'elite' in practical terms? Are there formations that receive more or better training or better equipment than others? Has the performance of formations in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom meant that some formations are now considered elite as a result?

In the British Army there are no armoured formations that are considered 'elite' AFAIK. They are all equally highly trained and equipped.

Didn't the Germans have Elite tank forces in WW2?

Tanks are a bit noisy for SF ops, but I can see SF units using "more quiet" aromored vehicles to get to their objective and complete the mission. See the SF guys using dune buggies.

Originally Posted by bushpig1998

Didn't the Germans have Elite tank forces in WW2?

Tanks are a bit noisy for SF ops, but I can see SF units using "more quiet" aromored vehicles to get to their objective and complete the mission. See the SF guys using dune buggies.

Yeah but WW2 was wartime which made a big difference. The initial Waffen SS Panzer/Panzergrenadier Divisions were elite as were the Army's 'Grossdeutschland' and 'Panzer Lehr' Divisions. Other Army Panzer divisions became elite according to their battle performance or who led them. The 2nd and 7th Panzer Divisions were considered elite for those reasons, 7th Panzer being Rommel's division in France 1940.

In peacetime today I'm not aware of the current German Army having any elite Panzer formations though not 100% sure on that.

Russia still use the "Guards" divisions and they are better equiped and trained.