German armored battalion in Lithuania to receive the best equipment
9:49 AM EST, November 25, 2023
The 203 Armored Battalion from Augustdorf, soon to be a part of the armored brigade "Panzerbrigade 42" based in Lithuania, are set to be equipped with the finest armored firepower of the Bundeswehr. In this article, we take a look at the capabilities of the Leopard 2A7V tanks they will be receiving.
In 2024, the "Panzerbrigade 42" Armored Brigade is due to be constituted in Lithuania. Its ranks will include the 122 Armored Grenadier Battalion from Oberviechtach and the 203 Armored Battalion from Augustdorf.
Initially, these two battalions will function as part of a rotating combat group. However, by the second quarter of 2024, a headquarters is slated to be established in Lithuania, with the "Panzerbrigade 42" armored brigade headquarters planned for the fourth quarter.
There have been recent reports confirming that the 203 Armored Battalion from Augustdorf will be among the priority recipients of Bundeswehr's most advanced tanks, the Leopard 2A7Vs. This marks a significant upgrade for the battalion, as they had previously operated with Leopard 2A6 tanks, some of which have since been transferred to Ukraine.
Leopard 2A7V - The Apex of German Armored Innovation
Germany made the decision to procure 104 Leopard 2A7V tanks back in 2019, with the last deliveries for Heer, the land forces of the Bundeswehr, concluding on October 12, 2023.
Similar to the process used for the M1 Abrams tanks, these tanks were built by refurbishing older Leopard 2 models to the most recent standard. Apart from fortifying the armor and implementing a longer gun, akin to the A6 version, Germany included additional generators (referred to as the APU - Auxiliary Power Unit). These power the onboard electronics when the main engine is off, significantly reducing the tank's heat signature when it is in ambush mode.
The most significant change is the integration of the Israeli-made active defense system, Trophy HV. As implied by experiences from Ukraine and Israel, this system has become essential to modern tanks. It detects incoming anti-tank artillery (including the latest variants capable of penetrating more than three feet, or one meter, of armored steel) using AESA-type radars, and neutralizes them at a safe distance from the tank using MEFP (Multiple Explosively Formed Penetrator) launchers.
