PPT Slide
The Soviets and NATO develop wire guided anti-missiles (ATGMs) and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) for use by infantry. Pundits again herald the end of tanks. It is widely and erroneously reported that missiles out performed tanks in the 1973 Yom- Kippur War. Despite early tank losses, the IDF reorganizes into infantry-led combined-arms teams to clear out enemy ATGMs/RPGs.
The Russian Airborne with light tanks is ready to fly in to save the Egyptian Army, but the American 82nd Airborne with only a few M551 Sheridan light tanks would be foot-mobile in the searing desert if they parachute in to save Israel. Fortunately, Israeli losses are comparatively light and most missile damaged tanks return to action. Journalists ignore the impressive tank kill ratio Israel enjoyed over the Arabs, almost exclusively by main gun fire.