The German "Leopard 2" tanks and the American "M1 Abrams" are among the most powerful and heavy field weapons that Ukraine hopes to obtain from its Western allies, in an effort to make a decisive shift in its interest in the course of the war with Russia.
While Britain announced that it would hand over 14 Challenger 2 tanks to Kyiv, Germany has not yet agreed to provide Ukrainian forces with Leopard tanks, either directly or by giving a green light to other NATO member states that have this model. of German tanks, despite the pressures on Berlin from its allies.
A spokesman for German Chancellor Olaf Schultz told the American Wall Street Journal that Berlin will not send heavy tanks to Ukraine unless Washington takes a similar decision.
A NATO meeting at Ramstein, Germany, did not result in an agreement on sending German Leopard tanks to Ukraine.
In Washington, US Assistant Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl confirmed last Wednesday that Washington would not send Abrams tanks to Ukraine.
logistical difficulties
Although US President Joe Biden - when asked last Friday about the issue - confirmed that Ukraine will get all the assistance it needs, NBC quoted 3 US officials as saying that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chief of Staff General Mark Milley recommended against giving Kyiv Abrams tanks.
According to the network, Austin and Milley justified this refusal with logistical difficulties, including the long time it would take to train Ukrainian teams on Abrams tanks, the costly maintenance of these expensive mechanisms, and the fact that they run on jet fuel - unlike the diesel Leopard - and their inadequacy to the nature of the battles currently.
The US administration had pledged to supply Ukrainian forces with Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles, as part of new batches of US aid to Ukraine, which has exceeded $24 billion since the start of the war on February 24, 2022.
Germany also pledged to send about 40 Marder armored vehicles before the end of next March.
"Business Insider" magazine said that Ukraine's acquisition of Leopard, Abrams and Challenger tanks, in addition to other weapons that are being supplied with it;
He might allow it to launch an offensive that would break the Russian defense lines.
Newsweek magazine published a report reviewing the technical specifications and combat capabilities of the German Leopard tank and the American Abrams tank.
manufacturing
leopard:
The German Leopard 2 entered service for the first time in 1979, and since then 3,600 units of different versions have been manufactured. It is among the best tanks in the world, and its manufacturer describes it as "the perfect combination of protection, mobility, maneuverability and firepower."
Designed by Krauss-Maffei, its gun by Rheinmetall, and its engine by MTU Friedrichshafen.
Leopard is manufactured in 3 other countries under license from Germany.
The German tank is being operated in 21 other countries, most of which are NATO members, and the Leopard 2A4 version is the most manufactured, while the latest version is the Leopard 2A7+.
The Leopard 2 tank was used in the war in Afghanistan, and also in Syria after the 2011 revolution.
Abrams:
It entered service in 1980, and since then 10 thousand and 700 units of different versions have been made.
It was made by Chrysler Defense, which later became General Dynamics Land Systems.
Abrams participated in the Gulf Wars, Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen.
9 other countries use the Abrams tank, while the US Army has the latest version of it, the M1A2 SEP.
According to "Business Insider" magazine, a new version is being developed under the name "Abrams X" (Abrams X), with a smaller staff and equipped with artificial intelligence technology.
An American Abrams tank and Leopard tanks for the Spanish army during a training exercise in Latvia (European-archive)
Movement and arming
leopard:
The Leopard 2A4 tank - which is the model that Ukraine is likely to obtain - weighs 52 tons and 55 tons when equipped for combat, and its maximum speed is close to 68 kilometers per hour.
Its engine power is 1,500 horsepower, and if its tank is filled with diesel, it can travel about 280 kilometers.
German Leopard accommodates a team of 4, including the tank commander.
Abrams:
The M1 ASEP version of the Abrams tank is also close to its top speed of 68 kilometers per hour, and its weight ranges between 69.5 and 73.3 tons.
Its engine power is 1,500 horsepower, and it operates in the United States with jet fuel, and its maximum range is approximately 425 km.
American Abrams nine a team of 4 people, including the tank commander.
protection
leopard:
The Leopard 2A4 version is armored with a mixture of steel and the rare metal tungsten.
In other copies, additional protection is available from materials, including titanium, for the tower and base areas.
The Leopard impressed with its ability to survive IED attacks in Afghanistan, although the Turkish military lost some during its operations in Syria from counter-missile, bomb and IED attacks.
Abrams:
The materials used to protect the M1ASEB version of the Abrams tank include depleted uranium in the hull and turret.
In other parts, other protection systems are available, including anti-explosive systems.
Newer versions of Abrams tanks from other countries have not been destroyed in enemy attacks, but some have been lost in "friendly fire attacks" or destroyed on purpose so as not to fall into the hands of an enemy force.
However, some of the less updated versions were destroyed while being used by Iraqi and Saudi forces.
Firepower
leopard:
The Leopard 2A4 version is equipped with a 120mm cannon produced by Rheinmetall and two 7.62mm machine guns.
The effective range of this German tank is about 5 kilometers, and the range can be doubled to about 10 kilometers by installing a special ammunition launch system.
This model can carry 42 120 mm shells and 4750 7.62 mm rounds.
Abrams:
The M1 ASEP version of Abrams is also equipped with a 120-millimeter cannon and 3 machine guns, one of which is 12.7 mm, and the other two are 7.62 mm.
The effective range of the cannon of the same version of the Abrams is more than 4 km.
It can carry 40 120mm rounds and more than 11,000 machine gun rounds.