Strange help: possible delivery of MBT Leopard 1 to Ukraine
Main tank Leopard 1A5
In Germany, the possibility of transferring various types of armored vehicles to the Ukrainian army is being considered. The other day it became known that one of the leading companies in the military industry is ready to offer and supply several dozen tanks Leopard 1 and other armored vehicles. If such a proposal can be negotiated with Berlin, deliveries could begin within the next few weeks.
New offer
The possibility of deliveries of German tanks to Ukraine on Monday, April 11, was reported by the German publication Handelsblatt. Information about such plans was personally revealed by the head of the Rheinmetall concern, Armin Papperger. According to him, the concern is ready to supply the Ukrainian army with several dozen tanks and infantry fighting vehicles of old types.
First of all, it is proposed to transfer 50 Leopard 1 main tanks; modification is not specified. This technique was built by the German industry several decades ago and was in service with various foreign countries. Subsequently, obsolete MBTs returned to Germany and became the property of Rheinmetall.
It is alleged that at the moment the concern's specialists are checking the existing tanks and determining their condition. Whether repairs and restoration are planned if any problems are found is not reported. After the completion of these activities, it is possible to start deliveries.
To start deliveries, you must obtain permission from the German government. If such a document appears, the transfer of equipment can be completed within a limited time frame. According to A. Papperger, the first Leopards will be able to go to Ukraine in six weeks. It will take up to three months to transfer all the tanks.
In addition to fifty Leopard 1 tanks, Rheinmetall storage sites have 50-60 old Marder infantry fighting vehicles. They are also ready to hand over to the Ukrainian army. As in the case of MBT, the first infantry fighting vehicles can be exported in a month and a half.
Details of the organization of such deliveries are not reported. In particular, it is not specified whether assistance in the form of MBT and infantry fighting vehicles will be free of charge or will require payment for it. At the same time, it is reported that deliveries may not go directly, but through an intermediary represented by a subsidiary of Rheinmetall Italia.
Deprecated Sample
MBT Leopard 1 has been developed since the mid-fifties and entered service with the German army in 1965. The production of such equipment lasted almost two decades and was completed by the mid-eighties. During this time, the German industry has produced more than 4700 tanks for its army and for foreign customers. In addition, on the basis of Leopard-1, several auxiliary and special machines for various purposes were created, which were also produced in a large series.
The first and main customer of the Leopard-1 tanks was the Bundeswehr. The German army was armed with MBTs of all major modifications and all special vehicles based on them. Already in the sixties, the export of equipment was established. Tanks and unified vehicles were supplied to various countries of Europe and both Americas. In total, they were operated by approx. 15 armies.
By the beginning of the nineties, Leopard 1s were morally and physically obsolete, which is why the process of replacing them began in several countries. Germany was the first in this case, and then other countries followed. Decommissioned tanks often changed owners, and a significant part of them returned to Germany. Now the equipment is located at long-term storage sites owned by the army and private enterprises. "Leopards-1" remain in service with only five countries. A few more armies continue to use equipment based on them.
Technical difficulties
At the time of its appearance, the Leopard-1 was a completely modern tank with fairly high performance. However, almost 60 years have passed since then, and it has long been obsolete. Various upgrades made it possible to improve certain characteristics, but it was not possible in principle to get rid of some shortcomings.
Leopard 1 of all modifications have homogeneous hull and turret armor up to 60-70 mm thick, and overhead armor elements were introduced in later modernization projects. Such armor has limited characteristics and actually protects only from small-caliber artillery. Any modern tank gun can easily break through this defense in almost the entire range of practically possible ranges.
"Leopards" of the first version were equipped with a 105-mm rifled gun L7 with a barrel length of 52 klb and unitary loading. Like the tank as a whole, for its time it was a successful weapon, but later it became obsolete. Now the L7 can only effectively deal with light armored vehicles that do not have reinforced anti-ballistic armor.
As it developed, the tank received more advanced means of observation and fire control, which increased its combat characteristics. However, the latest modification of the Leopard 1A5 was created back in the late eighties, and its equipment remained at the level of that time. Accordingly, competition with modern tanks is out of the question.
Depending on the modification, the Leopard-1 had a combat weight of 40 tons or more. The power plant was built on an MTU multi-fuel engine with an HP 820 power. It provided a maximum speed of up to 65 km / h with a power reserve of up to 600 km, as well as acceptable mobility and maneuverability on different landscapes.
In the context of the transfer of tanks to Ukraine, additional difficulties should arise, directly related to their technical features. First of all, it is the need to train the crew and technical staff. The Ukrainian army operates Soviet-style tanks, and imported equipment will have to be mastered almost from scratch. In addition, there is the problem of supplying ammunition. There are no 105-mm unitary shots in the arsenal of Ukraine, and they can only be obtained from abroad.
Questionable benefit
The situation around the possible deliveries of German Leopard 1 tanks to the Ukrainian army is becoming quite concrete. In the emerging picture, there are certain benefits for Germany, but there is virtually no benefit for Ukraine. Moreover, along with tanks, Kyiv may even get additional problems.
The reasons for the proposal from the Rheinmetall concern are obvious. He wants to get rid of unnecessary property that occupies space and does not have any prospects on the market. At the same time, it is possible not only to get rid of obsolete tanks, but also to make money on it - if the Leopards are transferred on a commercial basis.
The idea of supplying old MBTs is also beneficial to the German leadership. It promises Kiev all-round support, incl. supply of heavy weapons and equipment. It makes no sense to transfer modern samples, and "illiquid assets" will allow you to fulfill promises and do without unnecessary expenses.
With all this, the possible supply of Leopard 1 tanks is meaningless and useless for Ukraine. She may have to pay for the equipment or get a loan for its purchase, which in the current conditions becomes a separate problem. Then it will be necessary to train the crews and prepare the operation, taking into account all the requirements and foreign standards. And only after that the tanks will have a chance to get to the front line.
However, the implementation of all these measures, not to mention the full-fledged combat use and obtaining the desired results, is in question. German tanks can be detected and destroyed at any time after crossing the Ukrainian border. If they manage to get to the battlefield, obsolescence will contribute to a quick failure or complete destruction.
Strange Help
In recent days, Germany's military-technical assistance to Ukraine has begun to take on a specific form. For several weeks, the German side sent various light weapons to the Kiev regime free of charge, incl. modern types. Now approaches to help are changing. Kiev is offered armored vehicles, but they do not forget about their interests and even more actively promote them. So, the Ukrainian army can be transferred or sold long-obsolete tanks that are not needed by the current owners. Newer vehicles, such as the PzH 2000 self-propelled guns, according to the latest news, are ready to deliver only on a commercial basis and only in 2024.
Thus, it becomes clear that the current German aid to Ukraine has several goals. Germany seeks to gain political benefits from assistance in the fight against "Russian aggression". And at the same time, she is looking for ways to make money on the needs of a partner who finds herself in a difficult situation. They plan to make money in such a situation on everything, incl. on the supply of obsolete and unnecessary tanks.
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