Ukraine fortifies Leopard 2A4 tanks with cutting-edge defenses
Ukrainians have modernized the Leopard 2A4 tanks they received, primarily by adding many Kontakt-1 reactive armor blocks. Here's what else these machines were equipped with.
3:48 PM EST, November 25, 2024
The Leopard 2A4 tanks were the most frequently delivered variant to Ukraine. Their armor, dating back to the 1980s, proved inadequate against modern anti-tank measures. Unsurprisingly, the Ukrainians decided to modify these tanks, with the most noticeable addition being the Kontakt-1 reactive armor blocks.
However, that's not all. Some of these tanks were also equipped with folding anti-drone nets, a feature known as T-64BW tanks. While FPV drones are not as lethal to Leopard 2 crews as they are to post-Soviet machines, they can still immobilize a tank, for example.
When deployed, these nets are designed to prematurely detonate, say, a PG-7VL grenade over 20 inches from the armor, ensuring the tank remains undamaged. In the case of shaped charge warheads, the net is intended to detonate the precursor, which would otherwise compromise a Kontakt-1 armor block.
Leopard 2A4 tanks: the armored core of NATO's European section during the Cold War
The Leopard 2A4 represents 1980s-era tank technology. These were among the first third-generation Western tanks produced on a large scale. Their standout feature was an innovative approach to armor construction, which included multiple layers of materials like steel, composites, and ceramics, providing exceptional protection relative to thickness and weight. They can withstand shots from post-Soviet-era machines but face challenges with models like the T-90M.
Moreover, the stabilized gun and advanced fire control systems allow for quick and precise firing, even while moving. The designers considered crew comfort and safety, distinguishing them from Soviet tank designs. An example of this is the complete isolation of the main ammunition storage located in the turret recess, containing 15 combined rounds.
The ammunition is stored in an armored, bunker-type compartment with doors that open only briefly while the loader retrieves a round. If the ammunition ignites, the side walls are weakened to direct the explosion's force outside.
In terms of firepower and precision, even after several decades, the Leopard 2A4 still surpasses most Russian tanks. Its 120mm caliber gun, 44 calibers long, supported by the EMES 15 fire control system with a thermal imaging sight, can destroy T-72 family tanks from miles away, even at night.
However, this is practically unfeasible because Russian machines have poor optics (Ukrainians serving on T-72s claim that shooting at 0.6 miles is already a good result) and lack thermal sights. Exceptions include the newer Russian T-80BWM, T-72B3/M, and T-90M, most of which Russia has already lost from its initial inventory.
