Russia discovers weak point on Leopard 2A6 tank

Discover the weaknesses of the Leopard 2A6 tank through Russian analysis, affecting the combat capabilities of this tank line.

The main battle tank (MBT) of the German army (Bundeswehr) and many other NATO armies today is the Leopard 2As. This is a modern MBT model, designed to counter classic anti-tank weapons, but does not fully meet the requirements of modern warfare.

The above conclusion was made by experts of the Russian company Rostec, after studying the German-made Leopard 2A6 tank, captured from the Ukrainian army. Experts have carefully studied and found a number of weaknesses in the tank's protection, related to both the thickness of the armor and the internal layout.

According to the announcement of the Rotec company, recommendations have been sent to the Russian army to counter this type of MBT on the battlefield and emphasized that the Leopard 2 tank, designed with a focus on classic anti-tank elements typical of previous decades and does not fully meet the combat requirements of the current battlefield. Especially when attacked from many different angles, by UAV FPV carrying shaped charge warheads and modern anti-tank missiles (ATGM).

Rotec experts also found that the Leopard 2A6 tank does not have a clear advantage over the main mass-produced Russian MBT lines such as the T-72B3M, T-80BVM and T-90M, and is more suitable for modern warfare, and this has been confirmed on the Ukrainian battlefield.

The thickness and composition of the Leopard 2A6's armor raises questions about crew survivability and system integrity. In short, the Leopard 2A6 tank was designed for wars of decades past, not for today's wars.

Rostec experts also emphasized that currently the tanks most adapted to modern warfare are the Russian T-72B3M, T-80BVM and T-90M tanks, which are equipped with comprehensive protection, including active and passive defense systems. Combat operations have proven that Russian MBTs remain combat-ready even after repeated attacks.

In May 2024, the Russian Military Review website posted a video showing a Russian T-90M Proryv tank, fighting on the Donetsk front, continuing to carry out combat missions after being repeatedly attacked by a Ukrainian army FPV UAV.

The Russian T-90M Proryv, after being hit by at least two FPV UAVs in the turret, still maintained full combat capability and continued to move rapidly, once again proving the high reliability of Russian tanks in real combat.

However, according to the Slovakian newspaper Future Army, citing a source in one of the Ukrainian Army's armored support battalions (AFU), a Leopard 2A4 tank serving in the AFU withstood 10 hits in an attack by an FPV UAV and its own ammunition explosion.

The Ukrainian serviceman posted a video of the Leopard 2A4 on Telegram and said that after proper repairs, the vehicle would return to the battlefield. According to the Ukrainian soldier, after the shell exploded, the vehicle ran for another 500 meters before stopping, the crew was safe and the vehicle was towed to the rear.

According to experts, in a similar attack, if there is a lot of ammunition left in the tank, the Russian-made tank will "fly its turret"; this will have serious consequences. But there are some opposing opinions saying that the Leopard 2A4 above, also does not have ammunition in the side ammunition compartment of the tank, otherwise the tank's turret will also be blown off.

According to Future Army, the shells on the Leopard 2A4 tank are stored in the ammunition compartment at the rear of the turret; but there are still bullets stored in the compartments on both sides of the vehicle. The ammunition compartment at the rear of the turret has a special design, if the shell is detonated, the metal plates on the turret ceiling will easily pop out. The shock wave of the explosion will be directed upwards, helping to increase the survivability of the crew.

However, on all Russian tanks there is no such design, but the artillery shells are arranged around the tank in a "conveyor belt" style under the turret. If the tank is hit, the artillery shells will easily detonate, leaving the tank crew with very little chance of survival.

Leopard 2s are the main battle tanks of the German army and several European countries. The Leopard 2 is equipped with a Rheinmetall RH-M-120 120mm smoothbore gun and a combat ammunition load of 42 rounds. Secondary armament includes two machine guns, one of which is coaxial with the main gun, and one mounted on the top of the turret, which can also serve as an anti-aircraft gun.

Germany and a number of European countries have supplied MBT Leopard 2 in versions 2A4 and 2A6 to Ukraine. In addition, the Ukrainian army also uses various improved versions of the outdated MBT Leopard 1. "These vehicles are not suitable for the Russian-Ukrainian battlefield," said Rostec experts.

According to Future Army, the Ukrainian army has "upgraded" the MBT Leopard 2As with explosive reactive armor (ERA) and anti-UAV FPV metal mesh frames. Future Army also added that Ukraine has received at least 74 Leopard 2As tanks from a number of Western "allies". However, at least 50 of them were destroyed by Russian UAVs, missiles, mines or artillery. (photo source TASS, Gazeta.ru, Ukrinform).

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/nga-phat-hien-diem-yeu-tren-xe-tang-leopard-2a6-post1542930.html