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Key Points: Developed in the 1970s to counter Soviet threats, Germany’s Leopard 2 tank has long been celebrated for its firepower, mobility, and protection. Equipped with a Rheinmetall 120mm gun, advanced armor, and high speeds, it proved effective in conflicts like the Balkans and Afghanistan.

-However, its performance in Ukraine has been underwhelming, exposing vulnerabilities against drones and modern anti-tank weapons.

-While NATO-trained Ukrainian crews struggle with the tank’s sophisticated systems, older Soviet-era MBTs like the T-64 seem to perform better in this context.

-As Germany works on the next-generation Leopard 3, the Leopard 2’s limitations highlight the evolving nature of armored warfare.

Leopard 2: From Cold War Icon to Challenges in Ukraine’s Battlefield

Begun in the 1970s as a response to what was then the Soviet Red Army Main Battle Tank (MBT) threat to West Germany, the Leopard 2 was meant to exceed or match the capabilities of Soviet tanks, such as the T-64 and T-72.

Designed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) in collaboration with other German firms, the first prototype rolled out in 1972. 

After rigorous testing and multiple iterations, the Leopard 2 entered service to the West German Army in 1979.

Even today, the Leopard 2 stands as a paragon of German engineering in armored warfare.

NATO Leopard Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Indeed, it remains one of the most formidable tanks in the world, known for its exceptional balance of firepower, mobility, and protection. 

Toward that end, the Leopard 2 was given a Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore gun and could fire both high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds, offering versatility in combat. The tank also features advanced fire control systems for enhanced accuracy. 

But a deeper dive is needed to truly get an understanding of this tank’s battlefield potential, especially when it comes to the war in Ukraine. 

The Specs on Leopard 2 

This is a heavy tank that varies from 55 to 67 tons (depending on the variant), the Leopard 2 is powered by a formidable MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel engine, providing astonishing speeds (for such a larger vehicle) of up to 45 miles per hour.

These tanks have excellent off-road capabilities and an advanced suspension system and hydropneumatics dampers, contributing to this tank’s agility.

From there, the tanks boast multi-layered armor, including composite and later modular armor systems, which can be upgraded without extensive redesign.

The Leopard 2 incorporates passive and active protection systems, including smoke grenade dischargers and options for reactive armor, making it highly survivable in battle. 

Leopard 2A4

Leopard 2A4 Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Battle History 

Leopoard 2s were deployed in the various Balkan Wars in the 1990s. Leopard 2s were used by Canadian and Danish forces, showing how the tank was effective in asymmetric warfare of the kind we fought in Afghanistan against the Taliban and al Qaeda.

Danish Leopard 2s were further deployed in the Iraq War, performing well against insurgent forces.

Now, in Russia’s War in Ukraine, a tranche of these legendary MBTs were gifted to the Ukrainians…where they have underperformed.

The poor performance of the Leopard 2 in Ukraine has raised many questions.

Are tanks even the best power projection platform in a conventional ground war? 

Weaknesses on Leopard 2 Tanks 

Ukraine and Russia have both pioneered the use of drones and anti-tank weapons to stymie the conventional power projection of tanks on the battlefield.

What’s more, despite having received training from NATO, the Ukrainians are not well-equipped to handle the sophisticated systems that NATO keeps plying them with.

NATO Leopard 2 Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

NATO Leopard 2 Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

In many respects, the Ukrainians have fared much better with significantly older Soviet-era MBTs, such as the T-64 or the indigenously produced T-84 Oplot. 

Nevertheless, the Leopard-2 has a strong record overall. Today, the Germans are attempting to build a new system, the Leopard-3.

This would make sense, considering that the Leopard 2 has been in service for decades and is no longer performing well on the dynamic battlefields of Ukraine. 

About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert 

Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior Editor at 19FortyFive.com and a contributor at Popular Mechanics, consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, The American Spectator, to the National Interest. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.