Final Sunday, March 10, Russian sources launched a photograph exhibiting a Russian soldier standing subsequent to a absolutely operational Leopard 2A6 tank. The declare was that the tank, equipped by Germany, had been captured by the Russians. BulgarianMilitary.com waited two days for the affirmation or denial of the photograph’s authenticity.
Such affirmation has certainly arrived. Some Ukrainian assets have acknowledged the loss. The German publication, Bild, additionally confirmed the loss. In response to Bild, the photograph is genuine and full: of the 18 Leopard 2A6 tanks delivered by Germany to Ukraine, that is the primary confirmed occasion of a tank being captured by the Russians for the reason that deliveries started.
The Leopard 2A6 is without doubt one of the newest variations of the famend German tank. Germany is at present creating the following two iterations – the Leopard 2A7, which has its prospects primarily within the Hungarian military, and the Leopard 2A8, which stays considerably of a thriller. Nonetheless, Italy has expressed a robust want to accumulate a whole lot of those models. Germany additionally plans to incorporate the 2A8 model in its personal military.
Extra particulars
In response to Russian assets, the captured Leopard 2A6 is absolutely operational. The photograph shows harm to the rear proper a part of the tank’s chassis. The extent of the harm, nonetheless, seems to be minor. The tank options aspect hatches, however the so-called cage atop the dome is notably absent. The grills on the aspect of the turret are designed to deflect a number of the explosive power of an incoming anti-tank missile.
These sources assert that the tank was seized whereas preventing close to Avdiivka. In response to Russian stories, the tank was ambushed by a small Russian platoon, an motion that compelled the Ukrainian tank crew to desert their car.
As reported by the German publication Bild, the German Ministry of Protection is deeply invested in monitoring the standing of the Leopard tanks they delivered to Ukraine. German journalists declare {that a} good portion of the whole 18 tanks shipped to Ukraine required frequent repairs at specialised bases. Lithuania is indicated because the closest nation able to repairing the broken Leopards in Ukraine.
The Russians vs. Leopard 2A6
Regardless of their coaching, Russian tank crews would possibly discover the German Leopard 2A6 a complicated machine and thus a critical problem. A number of components would possibly forestall seamless utilization of the Leopard 2A6. The primary concern is the understanding of the tank’s management techniques. Like most up to date tanks, the Leopard 2A6 is a extremely computerized machine. Its complicated interface might pose difficulties with out applicable coaching.
Secondly, the Leopard 2A6 makes use of varied specialised ammunition varieties such because the DM63 APFSDS and the DM12 multi-purpose anti-tank spherical. These will not be customary within the Russian army and, consequently, with out the suitable ammunition, the tank’s foremost gun can be rendered ineffective. Moreover, the Leopard 2A6 is provided with superior communication and navigation techniques that might not be suitable with Russian techniques.
Lastly, a crucial difficulty to contemplate is upkeep. The Leopard 2A6 calls for specialised instruments and elements for repairs and maintenance, which the Russian army may not have entry to. With out the aptitude to keep up the tank correctly, its service life may very well be considerably decreased.
The position of Uralvagonzavod
The essential position of the biggest tank producer, Uralvagonzavod, can’t be overemphasized on this state of affairs. The captured tank has been well-preserved within the situation during which it was initially acquired by the Ukrainian armed forces. In different phrases, it’s an impeccable specimen for analysis by Russian tank engineers.
These engineers will be capable of glean insights concerning the Leopard 2A6’s composite armor. This armor gives superior safety in opposition to anti-tank weaponry. Moreover, they may scrutinize the tank’s 120 mm smoothbore gun, which possesses the aptitude to fireside a vary of ammunition varieties. Notably, the tank’s superior fireplace management system will even be examined, given its perform of permitting for actual concentrating on throughout completely different situations.
The investigation will even prolong to the Leopard 2A6’s propulsion and suspension system. These elements contribute to the tank’s outstanding mobility. Moreover, the tank’s digital techniques, encompassing communication, navigation, and sensor techniques, can be explored by the engineers.
Higher understanding
By finding out the Leopard 2A6, engineers can achieve a higher grasp of the tank’s strengths and weaknesses. This information might probably be harnessed to develop countermeasures or improve the design of future Russian tanks.
Nonetheless, it’s pivotal to underscore that merely accessing the Leopard 2A6 doesn’t inherently unveil all its secrets and techniques. A lot of the tank’s effectiveness is attributed to its superior coaching strategies and techniques, which wouldn’t be instantly obvious from the tank itself.
Furthermore, the Leopard 2A6 is constantly being upgraded and improved, so the model that lands within the workshops of Uralvagonzavod may not symbolize the cutting-edge. However, the chance to review such a high-quality tank would indubitably provide invaluable insights.
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