As it was originally designed to be maintained by conscripts, it is simpler to operate than the Challenger 2, which Britain is sending to Ukraine.
Mr Watling, a senior research fellow in land warfare at Rusi, said the Leopard 2 is a “modern, well-protected main battle tank with good sensors”. The German Army says: “This main battle tank is characterised by its lethality, mobility and protection and decisively enhances the striking power of the armoured forces.” The Leopard 2 can cross shallow water and operate in adverse weather, at night and in periods of limited visibility. Janes says Ukraine has its eyes set on the Leopard 2 because “it has a large international user base ensuring that tanks are readily available in sufficient numbers to make a battlefield difference, with easy commonality of spare parts and support… and broad opportunity to conduct training in different countries”. Germany is sending 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, with other countries now likely to follow with exports of dozens more of the main battle tank.
Russia’s main concerns will be to preserve its land bridge to Crimea and avoid the latter coming within reliable range of Ukrainian artillery.”Įxperts such as Jack Watling, an analyst at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) think tank, has said these weapons will lead to the most “powerful armoured force in the Ukrainian military”, adding that they allow soldiers to move quickly, take damage and conduct breakthrough operations. He added: “I would expect the thrust of an eventual armoured attack by Ukraine to be south and east toward Crimea and the Azov Sea, while it simultaneously attempts to hold the line in Donbas. “It is clear that Russian forces are fortifying their positions in the southern oblasts of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, and it is unlikely we will see further Ukrainian advances like those in Kharkiv and Kherson in the autumn, which owed more to Russian weakness and over-extension than Ukrainian military strength.”
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