Leopard 1 is not a young tank by any means. However, it does not stop Ukrainian operators from using them to hit targets located beyond their official effective fire range.
Leopard 1A5 – illustrative photo. Image credit: Alan Wilson via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 2.43
The Ukrainian army has already started using Leopard 1A5 tanks.
In an interview for the AFP news agency, Ukrainian soldiers said they are satisfied with these machines. Tankers say some crews have gotten used to the control specifics of this German vehicle and regularly hit the targets of the Russian occupiers.
Fighters emphasize the accuracy of the Leopard 1A5 and its overall maneuverability and predictability when driving over different terrains, under difficult conditions.
A Leopard 1 A5 in the Kharkiv region (Nov. 24, 2023) pic.twitter.com/d7bPnujFeP
— OSINTNic (@OSINTNic) November 27, 2023
Denmark delivered the first Leopard 1A5 tanks in September. In the near future, Ukraine will receive 10 more tanks of this model, journalists claim.
Another exceptional feature of the German tank is its exceptionally long range of fire.
Generally, the Leopard 1’s effective firing range with its 105 mm gun is typically specified around 2,000 meters (2 kilometers or 1.24 miles) or possibly more, depending on the specific ammunition and targeting systems in use. But in Ukraine, they operate much beyond their original specifications.
“It is realistic to hit targets up to 3.5-5 km, yes. These systems are very relevant, because the modern tanks in the enemy’s arsenal cannot resist us at long distances,” said Officer Vitaly.
In the same interview, the driver-mechanic Ruslan said that it is more difficult to drive the tank in the mud, but in general, this unit is very maneuverable. Before the war, Ruslan used to work as a tractor driver, so mastering the Leopard 1A5 was quite easy, he said.
Written by Alius Noreika