Armored recovery vehicles Bergepanzer 2 for Ukraine
One of the Bergepanzer 2 ARVs of the first batch, October 2022
A few months ago, Germany promised to transfer Bergepanzer 2 (BPz 2) armored recovery vehicles to Ukraine. The real transfer of such equipment began only in October and, apparently, continues to this day. German armored vehicles are not intended for direct use in combat. At the same time, they will have to ensure the operation and use of armored combat vehicles.
Auxiliary equipment
Back in the spring, the German leadership expressed its readiness to transfer to the Kyiv regime a certain number of Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery mounts and Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard anti-aircraft self-propelled guns. Along with this equipment, they were going to provide ammunition, various additional equipment and auxiliary equipment.
In mid-July, new details of such assistance became known. The foreign press reported that Bergepanzer 2 ARVs would be transferred to ensure the operation of the Gepard ZSU. At the same time, only three such vehicles were allocated - in accordance with German standards for staffing units.
BPz 2 pulls out stuck car
The timing of the transfer of three BPz 2 at that time was not reported. As it became clear later, the dispatch of equipment was seriously delayed. However, during the preparation and waiting, Berlin's plans expanded. The German side considered that the Ukrainian formations needed 15 ARVs. It was reported that now this technique will have to work with both the Gepard ZSU and the PzH 2000 self-propelled guns.
Real deliveries of BREM started only at the beginning of this month. The first messages of this kind appeared by 10 October. Various sources claimed that a third of the planned amount of equipment had arrived in Ukraine, and the remaining vehicles would be delivered in the near future. Also, a photo showing the transportation of BPz 2 on a tank trawl was distributed to specialized resources.
Taking into account the peculiarities of the logistics of foreign countries and the experience of previous deliveries, it can be assumed that all the planned ARVs have already arrived in Ukraine. Right now they can be distributed between units and subunits that have German armored vehicles. In addition, the first machines of the batch could already be mastered and put into full operation.
German armored vehicles have not yet appeared in the combat zone, or information about this has not yet been received. At the same time, it is clear that they can get into combat units in the very near future. Soon after that, one can expect reports of the destruction of such machines or taking them as trophies.
Addition to tanks
In the mid-sixties, the Bundeswehr began the transition to new Tanks Leopard 1. Also during this period, the development of a new generation of engineering vehicles began, which were to ensure the work of tank troops. Over the next few years, Krauss-Maffei developed a number of new models based on the new tank - a bridge layer, an engineering vehicle and an ARV.
Deliveries of new equipment to the West German units started at the turn of the decade. The needs of the Bundeswehr in the BREM Bergepanzer 2 were estimated at almost 550 units. - in accordance with the size of the tank fleet. In the early seventies, the first export contracts appeared. For example, Italy ordered approx. 70 repair and recovery vehicles and independently produced a batch of approximately the same size. In the future, BPz 2 in various quantities were purchased by various countries as an addition to the Leopard-1 tanks.
In the late seventies, a modernization was carried out aimed at improving the main characteristics. BREM modification BPz 2A2 received a more powerful winch, a crane with a larger lifting capacity, etc. Modernization under this project was only a hundred cars.
The German army has long abandoned the obsolete Leopard 1 tanks, but the equipment based on them is still in service. According to The Military Balance 2022, until recently, the Bundeswehr had 95 BPz 2 ARVs. After providing assistance to Ukraine, their number will be reduced to 80 units. In addition, several other states have such machines in a small number.
The prospects for the BPz 2 recovery vehicles are generally known. They no longer fully correspond to the tasks set and are morally obsolete. They will continue to operate until the resource is exhausted and will be gradually written off. At the same time, the modern BREM BPz 3 Büffel, made on the chassis of the Leopard 2 tank, is already supplying the Bundeswehr and foreign armies.
For special tasks
ARV Bergepanzer 2 is a typical representative of its class. This is an armored vehicle with a set of special equipment, capable of working at the forefront and performing special tasks: pulling stuck equipment, towing it and providing some repairs.
Inside the control room
BPz 2 is made on the basis of the Leopard-1 tank and is maximally unified with it. The share of common parts and assemblies reaches 75%. The lower part of the hull, the power plant and the undercarriage have been preserved practically unchanged. At the same time, the hull received a cabin to accommodate the main equipment, outside and inside it. The level of protection as a whole remained at the level of the base tank. The frontal projection protected from projectiles, other elements of the armor - from bullets, shrapnel and small-caliber projectiles.
BREM retained the MTU MB 838 CaM 500 diesel engine with an HP 830 power. The transmission was modified to provide power to the pump of the hydraulic system, which ensures the operation of the target equipment. The running gear based on torsion bars was not altered. The mobility and maneuverability of the BREM and the tank did not differ, which simplified the joint operation and performance of evacuation tasks.
Inside the body there is a hydraulic winch with a force of 35 tf. The cable is issued through a window in the frontal armor and is used independently or with a chain hoist. In the latter case, the BREM is capable of pulling out a tank weighing tens of tons. For stability when working from the front, the hull has a lowered dozer blade.
Conditionally damaged and stuck tank
In front of the machine, to the right of the cabin, there is a crane with a turntable and a straight boom. In the stowed position, the arrow is laid along the body. Hydraulic drives provide circular rotation of the crane. The lifting capacity, depending on the angle of the boom, reaches 20 tons. The upgraded BREM BPz 2A2 received a crane for 25 tons.
On the sides and at the stern of the hull there are fastenings for various equipment, such as pulley blocks, towing rods, etc. There are also boxes for tools and spare parts. The platform above the engine compartment is designed to transport a tank engine / power unit assembly.
The BREM crew consists of four people. Their workplaces have the necessary control panels, incl. in a portable version. For self-defense, the crew has two machine guns. One is placed on the sunroof, the other is transported in stowage. Smoke grenade launchers are provided.
Mission accomplished
Predictable future
As planned by Berlin, Bergepanzer 2 vehicles will be used to pull out, evacuate and minor repairs of damaged combat units. First of all, the German self-propelled guns Gepard and PzH 2000 will become the “clients” of such ARVs. The technical characteristics of the BPz 2 are quite sufficient to work with them.
However, when performing such tasks, BPz 2 will face obvious risks and difficulties. The evacuation of damaged equipment implies active work in the danger zone under enemy fire. Accordingly, the BREM has every chance of discovering itself and falling under fire with predictable results.
To perform part of the operations, the crew must leave the protected volume, and at this time it turns out to be an easy target for small arms. weapons, artillery and other fire weapons. The defeat of even one crew member threatens to disrupt the entire evacuation. However, even armor does not guarantee safety and success. The protection of the BREM BPz 2 is generally similar to the protection of the Leopard-1 tank and is not particularly difficult for modern artillery or anti-tank weapons.
Crane work
It can be expected that the Ukrainian formations will not use the German ARVs for their intended purpose. Faced with a shortage of armored vehicles, they can use specialized vehicles as "full-fledged" combat vehicles. In this case, the risks will only increase, because. equipment is not intended for such tasks, and all the limitations and shortcomings of armor and weapons will be fully manifested.
limited benefit
Thus, Germany again transfers military equipment to Ukraine, and once again such assistance has characteristic features. A small number of obsolete machines were allocated, and they had to wait several months. In addition, due to various factors, the transferred armored vehicles have predictable prospects - most likely, they will be disabled or become trophies.
However, the delivery of ARV Bergepanzer 2 may be useful for the recipient. Such equipment is not intended for combat, but is capable of withdrawing wrecked combat vehicles from the battlefield and delivering them to the place of repair. The Kyiv regime is facing a shortage of armored vehicles, and therefore it needs any means of restoring it and returning it to service. Imported BPz 2 can contribute to such processes, but it is unlikely that it will be possible to use their full potential.
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