The Abrams, Challenger 2, and Leopard 2 are considered upgrades when it comes to Ukraine’s aging tank fleet.
Since Russia’s Ukraine invasion was launched back in February 2022, both Kyiv and Moscow have suffered from significant tank losses. World War II relics, Cold War-era platforms, and newer main battle tanks (MBT) series alike have been vulnerable to lethal unmanned aerial vehicles and other advanced anti-tank weaponry. In order to replenish some of Ukraine’s MBT losses, the United States and its NATO allies have delivered dozens of Western tanks to aid its front-line efforts. Currently, Kyiv is deploying the American-made M1 Abrams, British Challenger 2, and German Leopard 2 as part of its defensive strategy.
Introducing the M1A1 Abrams
The Abrams family of tanks was derived from a joint U.S.-West German effort to field successor MBT variants for the M60 and Leopard 1, respectively. While the resulting MBT-70 featured several cutting-edge capabilities, the collaborative MBT effort was ultimately tossed aside due to budgetary constraints and some design disagreements. The Abrams tank, designed by Chrysler Defense, was conceptualized in the aftermath of the MBT-70 effort. From its unique Chobham armor to its M68A1 gun, the Abrams was extremely well-protected and packed quite the punch. While the series has undergone several modernization efforts over the years, the former Biden administration greenlit the delivery of the original M1A1 MBT variants to Ukraine. These MBTs are battle-tested but have not been impervious to Russia’s anti-tank UAVs and other weaponry.
Introducing the Leopard 2
Initially designed to counter some of the most advanced MBTs in the former USSR’s stockpiles, the German-made Leopard 2 has again found itself battling its Cold War-era peers. The Leopard 2 tank was developed in the mid-1960s as a successor to the Leopard 1. Upon its introduction to service, the tank was recognized as the most formidable armored vehicle in the Warsaw Pact. Equipped with the fully-stabilized Rheinmetall RH-M-120 120mm smoothbore gun, sophisticated fire-control system, and laser range finder, the Leopard 2 is certainly an asset to Kyiv’s current tank fleet.
Introducing the Challenger 2
When it comes to modern MBTs, the British Challenger 2 is considered to be one of the best. Building on new technologies and lessons learned from the tank’s Challenger 1 predecessor, the new and improved Challenger 2 is considered to be a step up. Its Explosive Reactive Armor improves survivability while its Chobham composite armor makes it more impervious to anti-tank weaponry. In terms of armament power, the Challenger 2 features the L30A1 tank gun, a 120mm NATO standard MBT weapon. According to its Rheinmetall manufacturer, “Optical and thermal imager sights are provided for both the Commander and Gunner, including an independent 360ᵒ panoramic sight for the Commander. The sighting systems, turret and gun are fully stabilised enabling rapid target engagement when static and on the move.”
While the Abrams, Challenger 2, and Leopard 2 are considered upgrades when it comes to Ukraine’s aging tank fleet, the wrath of lethal UAVs continues to pose a real threat to even the most advanced tank series.
About the Author: Maya Carlin
Maya Carlin, National Security Writer with The National Interest, is an analyst with the Center for Security Policy and a former Anna Sobol Levy Fellow at IDC Herzliya in Israel. She has by-lines in many publications, including The National Interest, Jerusalem Post, and Times of Israel. You can follow her on Twitter: @MayaCarlin. Carlin has over 1,000 articles published over the last several years on various defense issues.
Image: Shutterstock.
