[Discussion] Rapid Deployment: Leopard Tanks Bolster Ukraine's Defense

[Uncrowned Guard]

German-Made Leopard 1 Tanks Flood into Ukraine After Extended Delays

It has taken a surprising period of 19 months for German industries to refurbish and deliver the first batch of 58 Leopard 1A5 tanks, out of a minimum of 155, pledged to Ukraine by a consortium led by Germany, including The Netherlands and Belgium. However, despite parts shortages, dispatch rates are finally on the rise.

Since the initial delivery of the 58 Leopard 1A5 tanks, which arrived in Ukraine in early September, an additional 45 tanks have been shipped, increasing the pace significantly.

The Impact of the Leopard 1A5 on Ukraine's Defense Capabilities

The delivery schedule is significant to the Ukrainian's defense strategy. The Leopard 1A5, manned by a four-person crew, is set to become the most populous Western-made tank in Ukraine, outnumbering the Leopard 2 tanks (104 in total), the American-made M-1s (80 units), and surpassing the modest 14 British-made Challenger 2s.

Currently, the Ukrainian general staff has already assigned the Challenger 2s, M-1s, and Leopard 2s to their designated brigades. This leaves the Leopard 1s, the only Western tanks, to equip the dozen or so new heavy brigades that the Ukrainians have formed recently. Each Ukrainian mechanized brigade typically houses a single tank battalion consisting of 31 tanks.

Berlin announced the delivery of the most recent batch of 15 Leopard 1s on Monday. This delivery also included armored trucks, artillery, air-defense equipment, and a significant quantity of ammunition, adding to the nearly 7 billion Euros worth of aid that Germany has sent to Ukraine in the past 34 months since Russia intensified its warfare.

The Key Features and Utility of the Leopard Tanks in Ukraine’s Warfare

The Leopard 1 tank, a relic from the 1980s, is not the latest addition to the Ukrainian inventory, but it is not the oldest either. Its relatively light construction and armor compared to, for instance, the 69-ton M-1, should not detract from its powerful 105-millimeter main gun and robust EMES-18 fire-control system. Ukraine, recognizing the Leopard 1’s main flaw of thin protection, has added blocks of reactive armor and anti-drone netting to increase its defense capabilities.

So far, the additions to the tanks appear to be constructive. Only six of the 58 Leopard 1s that Ukrainians received between July 2023 and early September have been confirmed as destroyed. However, it's noticeable that the Ukrainians tend to avoid sending the Leopard 1s to high-risk sectors.

Despite some flaws, the Leopard 1 has inspired confidence in its crew members. Ukrainian units have developed tactics to reduce the risk of a catastrophic event, such as limiting the stowage of rounds in the turret to avoid ammunition explosion following an enemy hit.

Ukraine's New Mechanized Brigade and Leopard 2 Tanks Strengthen Pokrovsk Ahead of Potential Russian Attack

The eerie silence enveloping Pokrovsk, a transportation hub in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast, gives a chilling warning of an impending storm. The once-populated city has seen its residents shrink to a handful of Ukrainian military personnel since Russia escalated its war on Ukraine in February 2022.

The looming threat is the Russian army’s 90th Guards Tank Division, which forms the powerhouse of a formidable force consisting of dozens of brigades and regiments in two field armies. This force, totaling nearly 70,000 troops, is preparing to capture Pokrovsk shortly.

The Ukrainian garrison, much smaller in comparison, is expecting key reinforcements. The 155th Mechanized Brigade, equipped with the German-designed Leopard 2 tanks and French-made Caesar howitzers, is reportedly deploying near the city.

The Russians, however, are closing in on Pokrovsk. Russian units south of Pokrovsk are reportedly pushing forward to form a defensive line, in an attempt to cut off Ukrainian support from the south. Ukrainians might respond by pulling back several brigades and battalions currently holding a small salient within the Russian-occupied territory.

As the conflict escalates, the 155th Mechanized Brigade with its German tanks, French howitzers, and 2,000 new soldiers should be fully deployed in Pokrovsk. The question of whether they can hold the city against an onslaught is one of the pivots of this phase in the wider war that has, so far, claimed over a million casualties.

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