As the war in Ukraine nears its one-year mark, Kyiv is pushing Western allies to provide modern battle tanks for its fight with Russian forces. And there’s one particular model the Ukrainians want — the German-made Leopard 2.
On Wednesday, Germany announced plans to deliver 14 of the country’s Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and allow other countries to send theirs, ending months of debate among Western allies.
Here’s what to know about the Leopard 2 and why Ukraine says it needs them.
Why does Ukraine prefer the Leopard 2?
The Leopard 2 was first introduced in 1979 and has since been upgraded several times, gaining a reputation as one of the best main battle tanks in the world.
It was designed by West German arms producer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to replace the original Leopard tank, which entered service in 1965. The Leopard 2 is more advanced than many of the Soviet-era tanks fielded by both Russian and Ukrainian forces.
Even older versions of the tank have modern optics, including thermal imaging, that allow it to operate day and night, as well as magnification and a laser range finder to track targets. The tanks are built to move quickly, with a maximum speed of around 44 miles per hour despite their 55-ton weight, according to the manufacturer.
The Leopard 2 also has a variety of features designed to protect the crew. Compartmentalized ammunition storage avoids the devastating “jack-in-the-box” explosions seen with Russia’s T-72 tanks, where ammunition is stored below the crew.
The tank is powered by a diesel engine, which is relatively easy to refuel and gives the vehicle an extended range of about 210 miles on road. It also uses standardized NATO 120mm ammunition, which would grant Ukraine access to a larger pool of suppliers than its current tanks, which require 125mm.
How many Leopard 2s are there, and where are they located?
Researchers estimate there are more than 2,000 Leopard 2 tanks in Europe. More than half are thought to be the older 2A4 and 2A5 variants, including more than 200 held in storage in Germany itself, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for German arms group Rheinmetall told local media that the company could deliver 139 Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine if required, Reuters reported, although some wouldn’t arrive until the end of the year or in early 2024.
Many of those already exported from Germany have been sent to European countries or NATO member states such as Canada and Turkey. Other countries that have bought Leopard 2 tanks include Singapore, Chile, and Qatar.
Ukraine has focused on the Leopard 2 in part because there are so many in Europe, where they could be transported to the battlefield with relative ease. But under deals with purchasing countries, the German government must sign off on any transfers.
In a note published in September, the European Council on Foreign Relations called on Western nations to support a plan to send Leopard 2s to Ukraine, saying that the “more that countries donate tanks, the easier it will be to share the burden of giving them away.”
What about the alternatives, including the U.S. M1 Abrams?
When it comes to main battle tanks, the Leopard 2 has one main rival: The U.S.-made M1 Abrams.
Comparable battlefield
heavyweights
Germany’s Leopard 2 main battle tank and the United States’ M1 Abrams boast similar measurements and capabilities; indeed, some of the similarities are deliberate, to ensure the tanks can cooperate on NATO’s battlefields.
(U.S.)
M1 ABRAMS
About 32 ft.
(Germany)
LEOPARD 2
TOP
SPEED
(MPH)
VEHICLE
WEIGHT
CREW
M1 Abrams
Leopard 2
45
41.5
70 tons
55 tons
4
4
Sources: Federation of American Scientists;
Military-Today.com
WILLIAM NEFF / THE WASHINGTON POST
Comparable battlefield heavyweights
Germany’s Leopard 2 main battle tank and the United States’ M1 Abrams boast similar measurements and capabilities; indeed, some of the similarities are deliberate, to ensure the tanks can cooperate on NATO’s battlefields.
(U.S.)
M1 ABRAMS
About 32 ft.
(Germany)
LEOPARD 2
TOP
SPEED
VEHICLE
WEIGHT
CREW
M1 Abrams
Leopard 2
45 mph
41.5 mph
70 tons
55 tons
4
4
Sources: Federation of American Scientists; Military-Today.com
WILLIAM NEFF / THE WASHINGTON POST
Comparable battlefield heavyweights
Germany’s Leopard 2 main battle tank and the United States’ M1 Abrams boast similar measurements and capabilities; indeed, some of the similarities are deliberate, to ensure the tanks can cooperate on NATO’s battlefields.
(U.S.)
M1 ABRAMS
About 32 ft.
(Germany)
LEOPARD 2
PRIMARY
WEAPON
VEHICLE
TOP SPEED
WEIGHT
CREW
M1 Abrams
Leopard 2
45 mph
41.5 mph
120mm cannon
120mm cannon
About 70 tons
About 55 tons
4
4
Sources: Federation of American Scientists; Military-Today.com
WILLIAM NEFF / THE WASHINGTON POST
Comparable battlefield heavyweights
Germany’s Leopard 2 main battle tank and the United States’ M1 Abrams boast similar measurements and capabilities; indeed, some of the similarities are deliberate, to ensure the tanks can cooperate on NATO’s battlefields.
(U.S.)
M1 ABRAMS
About 32 ft.
(Germany)
LEOPARD 2
PRIMARY
WEAPON
VEHICLE
TOP SPEED
WEIGHT
CREW
M1 Abrams
Leopard 2
45 mph
41.5 mph
120mm cannon
120mm cannon
About 70 tons
About 55 tons
4
4
Sources: Federation of American Scientists; Military-Today.com
WILLIAM NEFF / THE WASHINGTON POST
In service since 1980, the M1 Abrams has similar specs to the Leopard 2, but some clear advantages. Modern versions have layers of depleted uranium armor protection that offer significant benefits to the crew inside.
In a phone call earlier this month, Scholz suggested to President Biden that in order for Germany to unlock a package of Leopard 2 tanks for Ukraine, Washington should send the M1 Abrams.
However, the Biden administration has argued that the U.S.-made tanks have a number of disadvantages for the field in Ukraine.
They use jet fuel, which is far more difficult to obtain compared to the diesel used by the Leopard 2. Though the tank once weighed 60 tons, it has ballooned in weight over the years; new versions can weigh nearly 75 tons, which adds logistical difficulties. That’s a lot of weight to drive over a bridge, for example.
They also have complicated maintenance requirements, U.S. officials have told reporters, and require specialized training.
correction
In an earlier version of this story, figures for the weights of M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks, listed in the graphic, were swapped. The graphic has been corrected.