He also pointed out that the tank was ultimately never called into service in the Cold War, and as a result, has rarely seen combat. However, he warned that it is not an “indestructible game changer” and that its effectiveness will depend on how many are delivered and whether it is supported by the right weapons systems in battle. The Leopard 2 “rightly has an excellent reputation around the world,” Ralf Raths, the head of Germany’s Tank Museum, told broadcaster ARD. Unlike the Challenger 2, the Leopard has a Nato standard 120mm gun, meaning that several countries can supply ammunition for it. Nearly 40 years on, Ukraine is desperate to get hold of the tanks to fight off in a conflict that closely resembles the one the Leopard 2 was designed for.įor months Ukrainian officials, including Volodymyr Zelensky, have been calling for Berlin to donate some of its tanks and let Kyiv’s other allies, many of whom also operate the Leopard 2, to do the same.įor example, the Leopard uses single-piece ammo, rather than the warhead and propellant charges being separated, making it easier to train crew as loaders, he said. Western military planners believed their tanks would be outnumbered 10 to one in the event of war on the plains of eastern Europe. More than just a party trick, the feat was meant to show how the tank’s advanced stabilisation system would enable it to hit targets while on the move – a vital capability if it was to stand any chance on the battlefield if the Cold War turned hot. With a full stein perched on the end of its gun barrel, the 60-tonne vehicle set off along a forest track, hurtling over the rough terrain without spilling a drop. ![]() When Germany’s military wanted to show off the Leopard 2 in 1986, it turned to the traditional jug of beer.
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