Analysis: What could French Leclerc tank offer on the battlefield in Ukraine?.

Analysis: In a potential deployment in Ukraine, the French-made Leclerc Main Battle Tank (MBT) could offer numerous advantages. Built by the French company Nexter and named for General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, who led the French 2nd Armored Division in World War II, this tank was developed in the 1980s and entered active service in 1992. Its real combat conditions experience started in Yemen under the United Arab Emirates armed forces.
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The French-made Leclerc is considered as one of the most Main Battle Tanks MBTs in the world. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Leclerc tank's first taste of combat wasn't on European soil or under the French flag, but in the Middle East against Houthi rebels in Yemen, led by the UAE. The experiences in Yemen revealed a tank outfitted with CLARA add-on armor packages by Germany's Dynamit Nobel Defense and Leclercs fitted with AZUR up-armor kits. The CLARA package is an explosive reactive armor that damages incoming projectiles through the explosive outward reaction of its fiber plates, thereby reducing the projectile's penetration ability.

In the Yemen conflict, the Leclerc showed resilience even in the face of advanced weaponry. One instance reported a tank being struck by an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), likely a 9M113 or its Iranian variant. The attack resulted in the driver's death and the tank commander sustaining injuries. However, the tank remained battle-ready. In another instance, a Leclerc tank endured minimal damage from an anti-tank mine.

A unique feature of the Leclerc is its reduced crew size, which consists of a commander, a gunner, and a driver. The conventional fourth crew member, the loader, is replaced by an automatic loading system in the Leclerc. This reduces personnel risk and potentially enhances operational efficiency.

When it comes to armament, the Leclerc is well-equipped for various battlefield situations. Its primary weapon is the powerful GIAT (now Nexter) CN120-26 120mm smoothbore gun, capable of firing a diverse range of rounds. Alongside this, it also houses a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and a similar weapon on the turret roof under the commander's control. Furthermore, the Leclerc carries two sets of five smoke grenade launchers, offering additional defensive capabilities.

The Leclerc's autoloader, feeding the gun from the tank's magazine, allows for a high rate of fire, enhancing reaction times and diminishing the need for a human loader. Capable of loading a new round approximately every five seconds, it enables the Leclerc to rapidly engage, reposition, and re-engage targets.

Moreover, the Leclerc stands out for its firepower, combining a 120mm smoothbore gun with an efficient loading system, enabling it to fire a variety of rounds, including APFSDS and HEAT. Coupled with an advanced fire control system, it offers a remarkable first-hit probability, contributing to the tank's overall effectiveness.

The Leclerc's primary weapon, the 120mm smoothbore gun, most commonly fires the Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) round, which is effective up to a range of around 4,000 meters. This range might extend up to 5,000 meters or more with advanced APFSDS rounds, depending on specific conditions. Impressively, the Leclerc can fire on the move at a speed of 50 km/h and has the capability to hit the target with only one round.

Notably, the Leclerc is designed with excellent "shoot-and-scoot" capabilities, allowing it to fire, move to a new location, and avoid counter-fire. Its fire control system can engage targets on the move, with a stabilized 120mm gun designed for accurate firing even while mobile. Advanced sensors and sighting equipment support this feature, offering potential first-round hits even at high speeds or rough terrain.

The Leclerc tank's armor is a mix of different types: reactive, composite, and steel. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Leclerc Main Battle Tank (MBT)  features highly advanced armor systems designed for modern warfare. It employs a unique modular armor system that can be replaced and upgraded based on the anticipated threats in various combat scenarios.

The Leclerc tank's armor is a mix of different types: reactive, composite, and steel. Each of these offers specific advantages against different types of anti-tank weapons. Reactive armor is designed to explode outward upon impact, deflecting or disrupting the incoming projectile. Composite armor usually consists of layers of different materials such as ceramics and metals, which can absorb and distribute the energy of an incoming projectile to prevent penetration. Steel armor provides solid overall protection and serves as the primary structural component of the tank's armor.

Furthermore, the Leclerc can be equipped with the AZUR ("Action en Zone Urbaine" or "Action in Urban Zone") kit. This up-armor package was designed specifically for urban combat, where threats can come from any direction. It includes additional protections for the top of the tank and the rear, areas that are more exposed in urban environments.

The United States has affirmed the delivery of M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine. However, when it comes to protection, the French Leclerc tank is considered superior to the M1A1 Abrams. The Leclerc features a modular armor system that can be upgraded and replaced based on anticipated battlefield threats, thereby bolstering its survival capabilities in combat situations. The armor of the Leclerc is a sophisticated amalgamation of various types of protection - reactive, composite, and steel - providing a more comprehensive defense against a broad spectrum of anti-tank shells and guided missiles.

The Leclerc tank is armed with the latest generation of 120mm gun able to fire at a maximum range of 5,000 m. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Facing the latest generation of Russian MBTs such as the T-90M or the T-80U, the Leclerc tank has several potential advantages. It is one of the most modern Western tanks equipped with cutting-edge technology, like a highly advanced fire control system and battlefield management system. The Leclerc's autoloader is a distinct advantage in maintaining a high rate of fire. The modularity of the Leclerc's armor provides it with adaptability in various combat scenarios.

Facing the Russian T-90 tank, French Leclerc highlights several aspects where the Leclerc might have certain advantages.

Firstly, the Leclerc tank, being one of the most modern Western tanks, is equipped with cutting-edge technology. Its fire control system and battlefield management system are highly advanced, allowing it to accurately detect, track, and engage targets. These systems also help to provide situational awareness, a critical factor in modern warfare. On the other hand, while the T-90 also has advanced systems, the technology used in the Leclerc is generally considered to be more modern.

The 120mm smoothbore gun of the French Leclerc tank provides numerous potential advantages over the 125mm smoothbore gun utilized by the Russian T-90 tank. One such advantage is in ammunition variety, as the 120mm gun used by most NATO tanks accepts a wider array of ammunition developed by multiple NATO countries. This not only allows for a broader range of mission-specific options but also promotes interoperability with other NATO forces.

Further, the Leclerc's 120mm gun is compatible with a diverse range of advanced munitions, including the latest generation of Armour-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds that can penetrate modern armors more effectively. This gives the Leclerc an edge in combat scenarios involving adversaries with heavily armored vehicles.

Moreover, when the Leclerc's 120mm gun is combined with its advanced fire control system, it can provide superior accuracy at long ranges. In tank-versus-tank engagements where the first effective shot often determines the outcome of the engagement, this advantage becomes significant. Therefore, it's fair to say that the Leclerc's 120mm gun provides it with strategic flexibility, a greater choice of advanced rounds, and superior long-range accuracy, making it a formidable force on the battlefield.

The Leclerc's autoloader is a distinct advantage in maintaining a high rate of fire. Although the T-90 also employs an autoloader, the one used in the Leclerc is known for its reliability and speed, enabling the Leclerc to maintain a rapid rate of fire that can be crucial in tank engagements.

In terms of protection, the Leclerc features modular armor which can be replaced and upgraded based on anticipated threats. This makes it adaptable to various combat scenarios. Though the T-90 has strong defensive measures like its composite armor and the Shtora defensive system, the modularity of the Leclerc's armor can be viewed as an advantage in terms of flexibility and adaptability.

Defense News July 2023