For several weeks, Ukraine has been asking the United States and its allies to provide Main Battle Tanks and more particularly Leopard 2 tanks produced by Germany. The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is under pressure from Ukraine and the United States to provide more military aid including the supply of Leopard 2 tanks.
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The Leopard 2 is one of the most powerful Main Battle Tanks in the world and is in service with 14 European countries.
Ukraine needs European tanks for its defense against a possible new offensive of the Russian army in the next few weeks. After Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, tensions between the two countries have been high, and Ukraine has been seeking to strengthen its military capabilities in order to deter further aggression.
Currently, Russia continues to produce tanks that are sent immediately to strengthen the combat capabilities of Russian troops in Ukraine. Now, the Russian soldiers as well as the para-military group Wagner are equipped with the latest generation of main battle tanks including the T-90M, new upgraded version of the T-72B3 and according to rumors published on social networks, the new T-14 Armata tank could enter the conflict.
The Ukrainian armed forces only have old tanks such as T-64, T-72 and T-80 tanks that entered into service during the Cold War in 1966. Some of these tanks have been modernized, but are far inferior in terms of technology compared to the latest generation of Russian tanks.
According to open source information, the Ukrainian armed forces have already lost 450 tanks that have been destroyed, damaged or captured. Ukrainian army needs European tanks such as the Leopard 2 offering more firepower, mobility, and protection.
Russian tanks, such as the T-14 Armata and the T-90M, are known for their heavy armor and powerful guns, as well as their ruggedness and reliability. They are designed to operate in a wide variety of conditions, including extreme cold and rough terrain.
European tanks, such as the Leopard 2 and the Leclerc, are known for their advanced technology and high level of automation. They are equipped with advanced fire control systems and other features, such as active protection systems and remote-controlled weapon stations, that make them highly effective in battle. They are also designed to be more fuel efficient, thus having a longer range.
It's worth noting that, as technology advances, the line between Russian and European tanks becomes less clear-cut, and both sides are investing in new technologies.
Ultimately, the choice of the tank depends on the specific needs of the military and the overall strategy of the country. Both Russian and European tanks have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice will depend on the specific mission and operating environment.
Ukraine also wishes to obtain leopard 2 tanks which are currently the most used in Europe, which would make it easily supplied to Ukraine, and at the same time, the logistic support, repair services, ammunition, and spare parts would be easier.
Many countries in Europe have Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks in their military inventory.
According to a list of Leopard 2 users, currently, around 2,400 Leopard 2 tanks in different variants are in service with 16 countries including Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey.
Some countries including Poland and Finland are ready to supply Ukraine with leopard 2 tanks coming from their military inventory but they must obtain the agreement of Germany to export their tanks to Ukraine.
But after the Rammstein meeting that was held on January 21, 2023, the United States and its allies failed during talks in Germany to convince the German government to provide its Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine.
The Leopard 2 is widely recognized as one of the best tanks in the world and is used by several countries, which makes it a valuable asset for international operations.
The main advantages of the leopard 2 MBT:
1. Superior armor: The Leopard 2 is equipped with advanced composite armor, which provides superior protection against a wide range of threats, including kinetic energy projectiles and explosive devices.
2. High mobility: The Leopard 2's powerful engine and advanced suspension system allow it to maneuver quickly and easily across a wide range of terrains, making it well-suited for operations in both urban and rural environments.
3. Advanced weaponry: The Leopard 2 is armed with a 120mm smoothbore cannon able to fire a variety of rounds, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds, which provide the tank with the ability to engage both soft and hard targets. The maximum range of the cannon is typically around 4,000 meters when firing armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds, which are designed to penetrate the armor of other tanks and heavily armored vehicles.
4. Advanced fire control system: The Leopard 2's fire control system is capable of accurately engaging targets at long ranges, even while on the move, providing the tank with a significant advantage over other armored vehicles.
5. Advanced communications and navigation: The Leopard 2 is equipped with advanced communications and navigation equipment, which allows it to operate effectively in a networked battlefield environment.
6. Low maintenance: The Leopard 2 is designed to be low maintenance, with a high level of automation and easy-to-service systems, which allows it to remain operational for extended periods of time.
7. High reliability: The Leopard 2 is known for its high reliability, with a low rate of mechanical breakdowns and downtime.
