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Ukraine Equips Leopard 1A5 Tanks with Kontakt-1 ERA to Offset Armor Weaknesses Against Current Threats.
On October 26, 2024, the Twitter account @Osinttechnical shared an image of a Ukrainian crew from the 5th Armored Regiment beside a Leopard-1A5DK tank with significant armor upgrades, specifically Kontakt-1 explosive reactive armor (ERA) modules. Originally designed with relatively light armor to prioritize speed and maneuverability, the Leopard 1A5 is vulnerable to modern anti-armor threats, including FPV drones.
Ukrainian Leopard 1A5 Tanks fully covered with Kontakt-1 ERA (Picture source: Ukraine Social Media)
The addition of Kontakt-1 highlights Ukraine’s efforts to compensate for these armor weaknesses, aiming to better protect the tank from high-explosive charges. However, this enhancement also adds considerable weight, impacting the Leopard 1A5’s mobility and making it potentially more susceptible to attacks where quick maneuvering is essential for survival.
The Leopard-1A5DK is a Danish variant of the Leopard 1, originally developed in West Germany in the 1960s as a main battle tank (MBT) with a focus on mobility and firepower rather than maximum armor protection. Weighing approximately 42 tons, the Leopard-1A5DK remains relatively light compared to modern tanks like the Leopard 2 or Abrams M1. The addition of Kontakt-1 ERA modules to the Leopard-1A5DK is a notable adaptation in the asymmetric warfare context, where armored vehicles face increasing threats.
The base armor of the Leopard 1A5 main battle tank primarily consists of rolled homogeneous steel, offering moderate resistance against small arms fire and shrapnel but limited effectiveness against advanced anti-tank weaponry.
The Kontakt-1 ERA is a type of reactive armor developed to counter hollow charges, reducing projectile penetration into the tank’s main armor by detonating upon impact. Although Kontakt-1 is commonly used on Soviet-designed tanks, its adaptation to the Leopard-1A5DK reflects Ukraine’s pragmatic approach to optimizing available equipment.
Ukraine has received about 100 Leopard 1A5 tanks from allies, primarily Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. An estimated ten of these have already been lost in heavily mined or drone-threatened areas, though precise numbers are challenging to confirm.
Despite the protective benefits of Kontakt-1, this armor significantly increases the tank’s weight, impacting its mobility. Originally designed as a light, mobile tank, the Leopard 1’s additional ERA modules reduce speed, acceleration, and maneuverability—critical factors in modern and urban warfare. In the current Ukrainian conflict, where mobility is essential to evade drone strikes or respond to fast enemy movements, this reduction in agility can be a severe disadvantage.
In today’s Ukrainian battlespace, drones—both kamikaze and surveillance—pose new challenges to armored vehicles. These drones, capable of striking with high precision, make mobility even more crucial for avoiding targeted attacks. A less mobile tank becomes an easier target for enemy drone operators, increasing its vulnerability on the battlefield. Moreover, modern drones can target the tank’s uncovered areas, such as the top, adding complexity to armor protection strategies.
In an attack scenario with a Leopard 1 fully covered in Kontakt-1, the reactive armor offers an initial defense by generating a shockwave to counter penetration. However, even with full coverage, Kontakt-1 cannot absorb multiple impacts or vertical attacks, common with modern drones targeting strategic points like the tank's top. The added weight from Kontakt-1 reduces the Leopard 1’s agility, slowing its response to fast aerial threats like FPV drones. This loss of mobility limits the tank’s ability to reposition or evade drone strikes. Furthermore, despite the activation of Kontakt-1 upon impact, a powerful FPV drone charge may inflict critical damage, particularly to internal systems such as the turret or engine compartment, potentially resulting in total neutralization of the vehicle.
The addition of Kontakt-1 ERA on Ukrainian Leopard-1A5DKs reflects an adaptation to contemporary threats, particularly against anti-tank missiles and other hollow-charge weapons. However, the trade-off between protection and mobility highlights the tactical challenges crews must navigate. As the war in Ukraine evolves with more drone and high-tech weapon strategies, mobility will likely remain a central factor in the development and adaptation of armored vehicles.