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The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung recently highlighted the Leopard 1A5 tanks being utilized by the Ukrainian army. Foreign journalists spoke with members of the 44th Separate Mechanized Brigade to gather insights into their experiences with these tanks.
Positioned in the Krasnolimansk area near Izyum, the 44th Brigade is operating within forested terrain. The journalists report that the Ukrainian military currently has 58 Leopard 1A5 tanks, with a total of 135 expected to be delivered.
Many tank operators in the 44th Brigade previously worked with T-64 tanks. When comparing the two, the Ukrainian soldiers noted that the Leopard 1A5 excels in mobility and shooting accuracy but falls short of the T-64 in terms of armor protection.
Thus, the primary use of these German tanks on the front lines has shifted to firing from concealed positions. Direct fire is also employed during nighttime operations, made possible by thermal imaging cameras and the high precision of the cannon. Additionally, fewer kamikaze drones are deployed at night, substantially reducing the risk to both the crew and the tank.
They aim to address some damage on their own. For instance, Leopard 1A5 filters are replaced with those used in civilian tractors. Local enterprises have also begun manufacturing rubber track shoes to replace the German originals, which wear out quickly due to the tanks’ zigzagging movements when evading unmanned aircraft. While some Leopard 1A5s have been equipped with remote monitoring devices, this measure isn’t sufficient to safeguard all vehicles.
The technical state of the Leopard 1A5 is considered extremely poor. These tanks are often likened to “old cars that break down quickly.” With a high likelihood of malfunction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lack the necessary spare parts for these combat vehicles, often resorting to “cannibalizing” other units for replacements.
There have been instances where two tanks needed to be combined into one. This clearly shows that the Leopard 1A5 cannot fully replace the Soviet-era tanks that were once the backbone of the Ukrainian army.
The Leopard 1A5 is a variant of the Leopard 1 main battle tank, which was originally developed by West Germany in the 1960s. The 1A5 version is an upgraded model that includes advanced fire control systems and improved armor. It represents one of the later iterations of the Leopard 1 series, designed to extend the operational life and enhance the combat capabilities of the tank.
The propulsion system of the Leopard 1A5 consists of an MTU MB 838 CaM 500 multi-fuel engine. This engine is a 10-cylinder, water-cooled, turbocharged diesel engine that produces around 830 horsepower. The powertrain allows the tank to achieve a top speed of approximately 65 km/h [40 mph] on roads and provides a range of about 600 kilometers [373 miles] on a full tank of fuel.
The Leopard 1A5 is equipped with a variety of systems designed to improve its battlefield performance. These include a computerized fire control system, laser rangefinder, and thermal imaging for night operations. The tank also features enhanced armor protection, including modular composite armor that can be added to critical areas to improve resistance against anti-tank weapons.
The main gun of the Leopard 1A5 is the Royal Ordnance L7A3, a 105mm rifled gun. This gun is capable of firing a wide range of ammunition types, including armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot [APFSDS], high-explosive anti-tank [HEAT], high-explosive squash head [HESH], and smoke rounds. The versatility of the main gun allows the Leopard 1A5 to engage various targets effectively, from armored vehicles to fortified positions.
The operational range of the ammunition fired by the Leopard 1A5’s main gun varies depending on the type. For instance, APFSDS rounds can effectively engage targets at ranges up to 3,000 meters [approximately 1.86 miles], while HEAT rounds are effective at slightly shorter ranges. The fire control system and advanced optics of the Leopard 1A5 enhance its accuracy and effectiveness at these distances.
The Leopard 1A5 has seen service in various conflicts and military operations around the world. Notably, it was used by the German Army during the Cold War as a primary battle tank. Additionally, Leopard 1A5 tanks have been deployed in peacekeeping missions and have seen combat in the Balkans during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. They have also been used by other countries, including Canada and Turkey, in various military engagements.
BULGARIAN MILITARY