Ukraine's tank strategy: Retrofitting leopards to face drones
Ukraine has received only a few Leopard 2 tanks in the A6 version, which is the latest delivered model and still forms the core of many NATO countries' armoured forces. However, the realities of the battlefield there required modifications. Here's what the Ukrainians did and why.
Currently, the biggest threat to tanks in Ukraine, aside from the few modern anti-tank guided missile launchers, are FPV drones controlled via fibre optics.
Unlike previous solutions, jammers do not work on these drones. The only protection against them is to shoot them down before they reach their target or to reinforce the armour. Anti-drone defence for tanks is still in its infancy, and in practice, only the latest versions of the Israeli Trophy system currently provide protection, so the Ukrainians are using blocks of reactive armour to cover weaker elements.
The photos below show that the blocks were placed on the hull sides and the upper and lower front plates of the Leopard 2A6. On the sides, you can observe the popular Kontakt-1 blocks, while those on the front appear to be Ukrainian "Knife" blocks. They provide quite effective defence against, for instance, single-warhead PG-7VL grenades, which are widely used by drones.
Leopard 2A6 tank - until recently the pinnacle of European armoured design
The Leopard 2A6 tank from the early 21st century continues the legacy of previous versions of this German machine. In the latest version, the armour has been significantly improved, and it is equipped with a longer Rheinmetall Rh-120 L/55 cannon. As a result, APFSDS-T shells can achieve higher muzzle velocity, increasing their effectiveness in penetrating armoured targets and precision over long distances.
The Leopard 2A6 is also equipped with advanced optoelectronics. Modern thermal sights with higher resolution enable better target detection and elimination capabilities. Furthermore, a "hunter-killer" mode of operation for the crew has been introduced. Thanks to his own panoramic thermal sight, the tank commander can select targets without involving the gunner in the initial phase of target acquisition. This system allows for faster and more effective destruction of the enemy.
This change signifies a significant advancement in quick targeting and neutralising targets, providing operational advantages. The Leopard 2A6 was developed as Europe's ultimate response to the most advanced Russian tanks from the late USSR, which are directly associated with the T-90M and T-80BWM.
