Russian soldiers prefer captured Leopard 2A4 over domestic tanks.

On November 24, 2024, the Russian Telegram channel Bolshiepushki reported that Russian forces had recovered a Leopard 2A4 main battle tank (MBT) from the battlefield in an operational condition, claiming that the tank is now in use by Russian forces, with suggestions that it was well-regarded. Indeed, the Leopard 2A4 could be considered preferable to Russia’s T-72B3M, T-80BVM, and T-90M tanks, due to its advantages in firepower, protection, and crew comfort.
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The Leopard 2A4 could be considered preferable to Russia’s T-72B3M, T-80BVM, and T-90M tanks, due to its advantages in firepower, protection, and crew comfort. (Picture source: Telegram)

By November 25, 2024, available reports indicated that Russian forces had captured several Western-supplied Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs), with at least one Leopard 2A6 tank transported to Russia’s Uralvagonzavod facility for analysis and possible reverse engineering. Other captured Leopard models include a range of tanks in various conditions. The estimated numbers consist of seven Leopard 1A5 tanks (five destroyed, one damaged, and one abandoned), 22 Leopard 2A4 tanks (11 destroyed, five damaged, and six abandoned), 13 Leopard 2A6 tanks (seven destroyed, four damaged, and two abandoned), and seven Stridsvagn 122 tanks (one destroyed, one damaged, and five abandoned).

The Leopard 2A4 offers several technical distinctions compared to Russian tanks such as the T-72B3M, T-80BVM, and T-90M. It is equipped with a 120mm Rheinmetall L44 smoothbore gun, designed to deliver high accuracy and effective penetration. In contrast, Russian MBTs are armed with the 125mm 2A46M-5 smoothbore gun, which has comparable capabilities but differs in ammunition compatibility and firepower characteristics. The Leopard 2A4 uses composite armor that incorporates materials such as steel, titanium, and tungsten, providing significant protection against kinetic and chemical threats. This contrasts with the Relikt explosive reactive armor (ERA) featured on the T-72B3M, T-80BVM, and T-90M, which focuses on countering tandem warheads and armor-piercing rounds.

From a mobility perspective, the Leopard 2A4 is powered by a 1,500 hp MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel engine, enabling a top speed of approximately 68 km/h. Comparatively, the T-72B3M’s V-92S2F engine provides 1,130 hp, while the T-80BVM uses a 1,250 hp gas turbine engine, and the T-90M employs a 1,000 hp V-92S2 engine. Each of these Russian tanks achieves slightly different performance characteristics, with the T-80BVM capable of higher top speeds but at the expense of fuel efficiency.

Operationally, the Leopard 2A4 has a crew of four, including a dedicated loader, while Russian MBTs utilize autoloaders, reducing the crew size to three. The autoloader design allows for a more compact tank structure, but the Leopard’s manual loading system and larger interior can enhance operational efficiency during extended missions.

Russia has captured several modern main battle tanks, including the German Leopard 2 and U.S. M1 Abrams, during the conflict in Ukraine. These tanks have been sent to facilities such as the Uralvagonzavod plant, Russia's primary tank manufacturing hub, for in-depth examination. The analysis of these tanks could provide valuable insights for enhancing the design and capabilities of future Russian armored vehicles, including potential upgrades to the T-14 Armata. Key areas of focus might include the integration of advanced composite armor configurations, improved fire control systems, and enhanced battlefield networking based on Western digital systems and sensors. However, the extent and specifics of how these findings might shape future Russian tank development remain undisclosed.