Germany to deliver to Ukraine 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks, one of the most powerful tanks in the world.

According to an official statement published by the German Government on January 25, 2023, Germany agreed to the initial delivery of 14 Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), and more specifically the 2A6 version which is considered as one of the most powerful MBTs in the world. 
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The Leopard 2A6 is considered as one of the most powerful main battle tanks in the world, in terms of firepower, mobility, and protection. (Picture source Army Recognition)

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the delivery of the first batch of 14 Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) to Ukraine coming from the military inventory of the German armed forces.

With the delivery of Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks, Germany strengthens its support for Ukraine with offensive combat vehicles. At the same time, Germany will provide the training as well as support for maintenance, spare parts, and ammunition. Other European countries have also decided to deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

The Leopard 2A6 is a main battle tank developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. It is an upgraded version of the Leopard 2A5 tank, equipped with improved armor, a more powerful engine, and a new fire control system.

The Leopard 2A6 tank is built on a conventional layout, with the driver seated at the front right side of the hull, the turret in the middle, and the engine located at the rear. It has a welded steel hull and turret, which provide protection against small arms fire, artillery shrapnel, and mine blasts. The tank is also equipped with advanced composite armor and modular armor packages providing. Furthermore, add-on armor, including explosive reactive armor blocks can be fitted. The Leopard 2A6 is considered to be one of the most protected main battle tanks in the world.

The main armament of the Leopard 2A6 consists of a 120mm L55 smoothbore gun, which is the longer version of the L44 120mm cannon mounted on the Leopard 2A5. The new 120mm gun of the Leopard 2A6 offers more accuracy and a longer firing range. This gun is capable of firing a variety of rounds, including armor-piercing, high-explosive, and anti-tank guided missiles. The gun has a maximum range of around 4,000 meters and can fire at a rate of up to 8 rounds per minute.

The Leopard 2A6 is armed with one 120mm L55 smoothbore gun which is considered to be one of the most powerful and accurate guns in the world. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The Leopard 2A6 and Russian tanks such as the T-90M and T-14 Armata are both advanced main battle tanks that have been developed to meet the demands of modern warfare. Here are some of the main advantages of the Leopard 2A6 compared to Russian tanks:

Firepower: The Leopard 2A6's 120mm smoothbore gun is considered to be one of the most powerful and accurate guns in the world. The gun is capable of firing a variety of rounds, including armor-piercing, high-explosive, and anti-tank guided missiles, which gives the tank a high degree of firepower.

Armor:  The Leopard 2A6 is equipped with advanced composite and modular armor packages, which provide protection against a wide range of threats. The armor is designed to have a high degree of sloping to increase the angle of incidence of incoming projectiles, and thus reduce the effective thickness of the armor.

Fire control system:  The Leopard 2A6 is equipped with an advanced fire control system that includes a computerized fire control system, a laser rangefinder, and a ballistic computer. This system allows the tank to quickly acquire and engage targets, even while on the move.

Mobility:  The Leopard 2A6 is powered by a 1,500 horsepower diesel engine and has a top road speed of approximately 72 km/h. The tank is also equipped with a hydro-pneumatic suspension system, which allows the tank to adjust the height of its hull and turret, which improves its stability and ability to traverse difficult terrain.

Training and Support:  German manufacturing and training have a long-standing reputation for quality and excellence, and the Leopard 2A6 is no exception. The Leopard 2A6 has been widely exported and is currently in service with several countries, which gives it the advantage of having a wide support network and an experienced user base.