interview
As of: 01/19/2023 4:12 p.m
The “Leopard 2” has never been in a “real” war, says military historian Raths. In an interview, he explains what the German main battle tank could achieve in Ukraine and why the training is “not rocket science”.
tagesschau.de: What role do battle tanks like the “Leopard 2” play in modern warfare?
Ralf Raths: The term “main battle tank” dates back to the Cold War. A main battle tank runs on tracks, is relatively heavily armored and relatively heavily armed. It is designed to eliminate other main battle tanks, making it an army’s sledgehammer.
tagesschau.de: What can the “Leopard 2” from German production, which several European countries want to deliver to Ukraine, do?
Raths: The “Leopard 2” has an excellent reputation all over the world. Rightly so. It combines firepower, mobility and armor protection in a very balanced way. British main battle tanks are heavily armored, while others are particularly fast. The “Leopard”, on the other hand, is a very balanced vehicle that can do anything. Its systems are reliable and it is quick to maintain and repair. This is an important factor for armies.
What distinguishes current generation main battle tanks like the “Leopard 2”, the US “Abrams” and the French “Leclerc” from previous tanks is that they can shoot and hit at full speed – for several kilometers, even when reversing.
The Soviet or Russian models, such as the “T-90”, cannot do this at this speed. They are less flexible on the battlefield.
To person
Ralf Raths has headed the German Tank Museum in Muster since 2013. The military historian has published several papers on German land warfare tactics.
tagesschau.de: Can a “Leopard 2” disable a “T-90” in one shot?
Raths: Yes. The same goes the other way around when things are going badly. You have to be clear about that. Tank combat is very dynamic and deadly. The armor protects against shrapnel and cannon fire from an armored personnel carrier. But when two main battle tanks meet, the following applies: whoever shoots and hits first wins the firefight. We see that in Ukraine too. We will also see pictures where western tanks detonate in the way Russian tanks sometimes do.
tagesschau.de: How does the “Leopard 2” compare to the US “Abrams” and the British “Challenger” main battle tank?
Raths: “Leopard” has a multi-fuel engine for diesel, the “Abrams” a gas turbine as a drive. Otherwise they are almost identical in concept. The “Challenger”, on the other hand, is more heavily armored and more of a moving fortress.
tagesschau.de: How are such tanks traveling in the field?
Raths: Ideally, main battle tanks drive at least in company or battalion strength, i.e. ten to 40 tanks. They are not alone on the road, but with a lot of different vehicles that protect each other. Infantry fighting vehicles, for example, from which foot soldiers can deploy. They protect the tank in close combat. Behind it drives an anti-aircraft tank against attacks from the air. Tank artillery gives additional firepower. This is the high art of combat leadership. But most of the time the opponent has something against it.
tagesschau.de: There are different versions of the “Leopard 2”. Ukraine’s allies have different models. What challenges would Ukraine face in the event of delivery?
Raths: The fighting style of the “Leopard” does not change with the variants. As a rule, the “2A4” should be delivered. The “2A6” and the “2A7” build on this. When the Ukrainian armed forces get to know the “Leopard 2A4”, they can at least also drive the other European variants.
It becomes more difficult for the logisticians and fitters who have to repair, maintain and maintain the tanks. You need other spare parts. However, this is not decisive for the battle.
tagesschau.de: How about the supply situation for ammunition, spare parts and fuel?
Raths: Ukraine will always have diesel. And the Leopard 2’s 120mm gun is a NATO standard. Several countries can supply ammunition for this – another advantage over the “Challenger”. Only the British can supply its gun barrel.
It becomes more difficult with the spare parts. By the beginning of the war, all states had reduced their tank building capacities. If you have a tank fleet with 100 tanks, a good third is in maintenance and repair. Tanks are highly complex weapon systems that always have something. They break without maintenance.
“No Rocket Science”
tagesschau.de: How long would it take the Ukrainians to switch to the “Leopard 2”?
Raths: The training is not as difficult as is generally claimed. It is a fundamental change for the Ukrainians because the crew would now consist of four people instead of three. A loader is added. You have to learn the processes. But that’s not rocket science.
Ukrainians are currently the practitioners of Europe. They act creatively and dynamically. One should not hide too much behind the Cold War service regulations in the discussion.
tagesschau.de: What combat experience does the “Leopard 2” have?
Raths: The great German weapon systems – the Panzerhaubitze, the “Marder”, the “Gepard” – enjoy an excellent reputation throughout the world. But they were never used in intense combat against an equal opponent.
The “Leopard 2” was built for the Cold War, not for the Ukraine War. The Canadians and Turks only used it in Afghanistan and Syria respectively. Unlike the Abrams, the Leopard 2 has never been in a real war.
There is a psychological problem that we are not yet prepared for. These highly acclaimed vehicles can be destroyed in Ukraine. That will happen. We haven’t been properly sensitized to the fact that this “Leopard” is not an invulnerable game changer. The impact it will have depends on the size of the shipments.
300 tanks required
tagesschau.de: How many “Leopard 2” are there?
Raths: To my knowledge, 2670 “Leopard 2” are in service with various armies worldwide. About 1000 of them are “A4”. The Bundeswehr uses the “A6” and the “A7”. She has around 320 of them. I still don’t see them actually being exported to Ukraine. Rather, they replace “A4” from other states.
tagesschau.de: How many main battle tanks does Ukraine need to regain the initiative?
Raths: A large counter-offensive with the famous flank attacks and boiler battles requires many vehicles. Ukrainian commander-in-chief Valeriy Zalushnyi says Ukraine needs at least 300 additional main battle tanks and armored personnel carriers. That’s the lower limit.
tagesschau.de: Before the Ukrainian spring the mud period waits. Can the 60-ton “Leopard 2” survive there?
Raths: The mud period can also swallow modern battle tanks with 1500 hp. This affects all tanks, including the Russian ones. Tanks must and may only be used in the right way in tank-friendly terrain. When a tank sinks in the moor, many mistakes have already been made.