Why did Leopard 2 tanks perform so poorly in Ukraine?
Errors were made in the tactical use of tanks in Ukraine. It is not appropriate for tanks to act alone. Tanks have to move with infantry for close security and defence against tank destroyers.
In a previous article, we mentioned the 2nd generation Leopard-1 tank. Various models of this German-made tank have been produced, up to the Leopard-1A6 (only the prototype of this model has been produced). On the other hand, work on the development of the 3rd generation tank model has begun. As a result of the work started in the 1970s, the Leopard-2, a 3rd generation tank, was produced in 1979. With the introduction of this tank into the German army inventory, Leopard-1s were gradually removed from the inventory.
In 1982, some minor modifications were made to this tank and the new tank was named Leopard-2A1. After that, modifications continued on the tank and the Leopard-2A3, Leopard-2A4, PZ-87WE, Leopard 2A4CAN/M, Leopard 2A4CHL, Leopard 2A4 NG, including those modified for different countries, Leopard 2A5, Leopard 2 (Strv 122), Leopard 2A5 DK, Leopard 2A6, Leopard 2A6M, Leopard 2A6 HEL, Leopard 2E, Leopard 2 PSO, Leopard 2A7, Leopard 2A7+ and Leopard 2 140mm models were produced.
After the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, some European countries, notably Germany, first provided Ukraine with the 2nd generation Leopard-1A5 tanks, which had been withdrawn from service. However, it soon became clear that these tanks were inadequate on the battlefield. In response, the Germans sent Leopard-2 tanks. However, these tanks also faced many problems.
The problems faced by Leopard-2s are as follows:
The biggest problem faced by the Leopard-2s was the defence system formed by the Russians along the front. In the middle of the summer of 2023, the Ukrainian army attacked the Russian defence system, which was arranged in three lines behind each other and fortified with minefields, wire obstacles, concrete tank obstacles, tank ditches and defensive positions, but could not break through the Russian defences.
Because the Ukrainian army could not neutralise these obstacle systems and defence lines with support weapons and air forces, and even could not open a passage for tanks in these lines. Even if it broke through the first defence line in some areas, it could not continue its advance due to other defence lines in depth. For this reason, it suffered many tank casualties during the offensive.
One of the major problems faced by the Leopard-2s was the widespread use of civilian drones for military purposes. During and after the offensive, drones, which are low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles that can easily manoeuvre, have become the dominant weapon of the battlefield because they can fly over anything that moves. Using drones, the Russians were able to hit a large number of Western tanks, including Leopard 2s.
Another major problem was the large number of mines laid by the Russians in front of the defence lines. When tanks and armoured vehicles encountered minefields and formed up in column formation to advance through the open passages, they became an open and collective target for numerous anti-tank guns and artillery fire. In addition, many tanks were damaged or destroyed by exploding mines.
Another problem is the lack of maintenance and repair. Most of the neighbouring countries have maintenance and repair infrastructure for Leopards. For this reason, Leopard-2s had fewer maintenance and repair problems than M1 Abrams and Challenger tanks. However, a large number of Leopard tanks were damaged by a large number of weapons firing at the tank and a large number of mines laid on the ground, and the large number of damaged tanks caused difficulties in repair.
On the other hand, the maintenance and repair needs of the tanks, which were operating on muddy ground and in bad weather conditions, as a result of getting stuck in the mud, accidents and damages, were quite high. As a result, due to the lack of sufficient spare parts stocks, many Leopard-2 tanks had to wait for long periods of time in maintenance centres far away from the front line.
Errors in the tactical use of the tanks also caused significant problems. Tanks are not weapons/vehicles that can be operated alone. They have to move with infantry for close security and defence against tank destroyers. Together with infantry mounted in armoured vehicles, they must advance as a fast-moving overwhelming force. Tanks are vulnerable when used alone or in small units. Nevertheless, the lack of tank-infantry co-operation during the Ukrainian offensive increased tank casualties.
For armoured units to attack effectively, air superiority, or at least positional air superiority where and when required, is essential. Successful armoured unit offensives are not possible without air cover. Ukraine has never achieved air superiority during and after the offensive. This was a factor that increased tank casualties.
The Ukrainian battlefield is muddy for most of the year due to the large number of ploughed fields and high rainfall. For this reason, Leopard-2 tanks, which are quite heavy (like Challenger-2 and M1 Abrams tanks), sometimes sank in the mud up to the base of the turret. In this case, the tank could not move and had to be rescued. Thus, many tanks could not be used effectively in battles.
Nevertheless, it is possible to say that Leopard-2 tanks have some distinct advantages over Russian tanks and other Western tanks. For example, it is claimed that the Leopard-2 tank is the best tank in terms of tank crew survival rate, despite having suffered many casualties at the front so far.
