The US Army has quietly written off its new M10 Booker light tank, raising questions about the future of the 80 vehicles already delivered under a 2021 contract with General Dynamics. Designated as a “mobile protected platform with firepower,” the Booker was intended to give infantry brigades direct fire support. In practice, however, the tank’s 27‑tonne weight—comparable to some main battle tanks—has rendered it too heavy for airborne and rapid‑reaction forces. Cost overruns, maintenance headaches and doubts over its battlefield role have prompted the Army to shelve the programme entirely.
Military expert Isaac Seitz, writing for the American outlet 19FortyFive, argues that rather than let the Booker gather dust, Washington should transfer the vehicles to Ukraine. Kyiv continues to request for every piece of equipment its Western allies can spare. Although the Booker’s 105 mm M35 gun and 800 hp diesel engine—capable of propelling it to 64 km/h for up to 560 km on a single tank of fuel—make it a relatively capable platform, its light armour may struggle against modern threats. Ukraine’s battlefield is dominated by attack drones and guided munitions, and the tank’s protection against such weapons is uncertain.
Supporters of the transfer point out that exposing the M10 to real combat conditions would yield invaluable data for future light tank designs. Capturing its performance under fire and in harsh climates could guide improvements and help the US Army refine its concepts of operation. However, the proposal faces a major hurdle: the Trump administration’s scepticism towards military aid for Ukraine. Any new arms package would need to clear a tense policies in Washington.
