"Germany’s Leopard 2 Tank Was Considered One of..." Topic

…. the Best — Until It Went to Syria

"Germany's Leopard 2 main battle tank has a reputation as one of the finest in the world, competing for that distinction with proven designs such as the American M-1 Abrams and the British Challenger 2. However, that reputation for nigh-invincibility has faced setbacks on Syrian battlefields, and placed Berlin in a uniquely awkward national-level dispute with Turkey, its fellow NATO member.

Ankara had offered to release a German political prisoner in exchange for Germany upgrading the Turkish army's older-model Leopard 2A4 tank, which had proven embarrassingly vulnerable in combat. On Jan. 24, public outrage over reports that Turkey was using its Leopard 2s to kill Kurdish fighters in the Syrian enclaves of Afrin and Manbij forced Berlin to freeze the hostage-for-tanks deal.

The Leopard 2 is often compared to its near contemporary, the M-1 Abrams. In truth, the two designs share broadly similar characteristics, including a scale-tipping weight of well over 60 tons of advanced composite armor, 1,500 horsepower engines allowing speeds over 40 miles per hour and, for certain models, the same 44-caliber 120-millimeter main gun produced by Rheinmetall…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Good article ..

Everything you need to know about the article can be summed up in one sentence.

"Undoubtedly, the manner in which the Turkish Army employed the German tanks likely contributed to the losses."

The tanks are old versions,and are being tactically used in a unsupported manner.

how did a truck full of explosives even get that close to one?

it is kind of funny to think the germans think they can tell someone they sold stuff to when and how to use or not use it.

The Russians had the same problem with their tanks in the hands of the Iraqis in the Gulf War. A good tank used by an army with inadequate training and poor operational doctrine is functionally the same as a bad tank.

If you are a third world dictator, you are far better off buying up a bunch of old T55s. Even if you buy the latest and greatest, you won't be able to stand up to a real army, and if you just want to shoot up the local rebels, old T55s are more than adequate.

Armand, have you been over at War is Boring again? :)

Yup Old tanks, not upgraded with modern additional modern armor and being poorly used.

Same problem the Saudis had with the M60 and Iraq with their M1 in recent times.

Note that the Leopard ammo protection system appears to have worked well regarding crew protection

Glad you enjoyed it my friend!. (smile)

Yes… of course… they have interesting articles…

Amicalement
Armand

Even the best equipment is garbage if used stupidly. Having seen some videos of Turk tanks being taken out, I am amazed at the raw stupidity demonstrated by the Turks. Frankly, they're too stupid to live if they act like that.

No vehicle is invincible, correctly used and deployed they are difficult to hit and damage but no vehicle can just sit there and try to survive by expecting the armor to absorb hits. First rule is "do not get hit". used properly they are very good, used stupidly they are coffins.