The Leopard 2A6 tank, a German manufacturing however donated to the armed forces of Ukraine, seems to be on its technique to Moscow. Numerous social media movies showcase a truck transporting the tank inside Russia. Whereas the supply of this data stays unconfirmed, hypothesis suggests the tank was captured close to Avdiivka. In line with Conflict Report’s tweet, this might probably be the primary captured Leopard 2A6 tank.
From an exterior vantage level, the captured tank appears to be in good situation. The video footage highlights a well-preserved dome, chassis, and majority of the armor. Moreover, the tank dome’s sidebars additionally appear to be intact. The tank’s gun additionally seems to be in good exterior situation, whereas its wheels are full, albeit the tracks are lacking. There are slight indications of burning at the back and front of the tank. Nonetheless, BulgarianMilitary.com doesn’t possess detailed details about the technical situation of this Leopard 2A6.
In line with Russian sources, the method of retrieving this tank was difficult attributable to its proximity to lively fight zones. Russian stories point out that the restore and evacuation items of the “Middle” troop group tried to get well the tank from the battlefield, however have been unsuccessful. Consequently, it was determined that the tank can be higher utilized as an exhibit in Moscow’s Patriot Park, serving as a testomony to the ability of the Russian navy. Fascinatingly, this park additionally options the American M2 Bradley infantry combating automobile and the German Marder 1A3, showcasing its various assortment of navy {hardware}.
Our sources point out that at the very least one among the 5 [or six] eradicated Abrams tanks are set to be withdrawn from the battlefield. The rationale for the delay lies within the ongoing intense fight that places the withdrawal operation in danger.
The Russians concede that the withdrawal of the British Challenger 2 tank will pose a major problem. The rationale is that the primary and at the moment solely destroyed Challenger 2 in Ukraine is in extraordinarily poor situation. “The Ukrainians ceased utilizing the Challenger 2,” commented the sources, including that it’s unlikely for a second British tank to be destroyed.
This Leopard 2A6 shouldn’t be the primary tank captured by the Russians. BulgarianMilitary.com remembers that an fascinating photograph appeared at first of March. In it, a Russian soldier proudly stands subsequent to a totally armed Leopard 2A6. Any doubts in regards to the photograph’s authenticity have been dispelled after Ukrainian and German sources confirmed it was certainly genuine.
Regardless of enduring some injury, the tank stays largely intact. The injury is totally on the appropriate rear aspect. It’s possible the aspect hatches have suffered a considerable affect. Moreover, the turret cope cage, often, an integral a part of the tank’s design, seems to be utterly lacking. However, the grilles on the turret sides, designed to disperse the pressure from incoming anti-tank missiles, appear to have survived unscathed.
Info from Russian sources signifies that this tank was seized in the course of the battle close to Avdiivka. Russian stories counsel {that a} compact Russian platoon efficiently executed an ambush, forcing the Ukrainian tank crew to desert their automobile. Take be aware, nonetheless, that this account has not been independently verified or corroborated by BulgarianMilitary.com.
As reported by the German publication, Bild, the German Ministry of Protection is closely invested in monitoring the situation of the Leopard tanks they provided to Ukraine. German journalists have speculated {that a} appreciable fraction of the 18 tanks despatched to Ukraine continuously require repairs at specialised bases. Lithuania is recognized as the closest nation able to repairing the broken Leopards in Ukraine.
The Leopard 2A6 is a major battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei, now acknowledged as Krauss-Maffei Wegmann [KMW], of Germany. It’s a modernized model of the Leopard 2A5, that includes important enhancements in areas of armor safety, firepower, and digital warfare capabilities.
The scale of the Leopard 2A6 are fairly spectacular; it boasts a size of 9.97 meters [including the gun], a width of three.75 meters, and a peak of three.0 meters. Weighing roughly 62.3 tons, the tank takes its place among the many heaviest major battle tanks at the moment in service.
From a technical standpoint, the Leopard 2A6 comes geared up with superior methods. At its coronary heart is an MTU MB 873 Ka-501 liquid-cooled V-12 twin-turbo diesel engine, producing a staggering 1,500 horsepower. This output permits the tank to succeed in a most highway pace of 70 km/h and a cross-country pace of 45 km/h. Additional, the tank has an operational vary of roughly 500 kilometers.
The Leopard 2A6’s major armament is the Rheinmetall 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun. That is an improve from the L/44 gun used on the Leopard 2A5 and earlier fashions. The L/55 gun is able to firing a wide range of commonplace NATO ammunition, together with APFSDS, HEAT, and multipurpose rounds.
The tank additionally carries two 7.62 mm MG3A1 machine weapons, one mounted coaxially with the primary gun and one on an anti-aircraft mount. The Leopard 2A6 can also be geared up with a complicated hearth management system, which features a laser rangefinder, thermal imaging, and a ballistic pc.
Seen tank shells utilized by the Leopard 2A6 embody the DM63 APFSDS and the DM11 multipurpose spherical. The DM63 is a tungsten-cored penetrator spherical designed to be used in opposition to closely armored targets. The DM11 is a programmable airburst spherical designed to be used in opposition to a wide range of targets. DM11 can be utilized in opposition to enemy personnel, mild autos, and low-flying plane.
Talking of Leopard tanks, Germany is getting ready for the mass manufacturing of its newest model—the Leopard 2A8. As BulgarianMilitary.com reported yesterday, 20 tanks monthly of this mannequin are anticipated to be produced. On this regard, the Czech Republic is negotiating to hitch the manufacturing of the 2A8. Learn right here for all of the details about the intentions of the Czech Republic.
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