What’s next for the leopards?

The Leopard 2A4 main battle tank used in Austria dates back to the late 1970s. Some components have reached the end of their service life and are no longer available on the market. There are numerous possibilities for extending its service life and increasing its combat effectiveness. This would make it possible to continue using this indispensable main weapon system of the Austrian Armed Forces. Since 2017, the Panzerwaffe has repeatedly made a name for itself in Austria. With the victory at the Strong Europe Tank Challenge 17 (Militär Aktuell reported), in which the soldiers of Tank Battalion 14 (PzB14) were able to leave even the favorites of the German Bundeswehr and the US Army behind, it was proven – nationally and even more internationally – that the “Wels Hessians” have mastered their craft. However, the participating soldiers and the responsible commanders were aware from the outset that we won not because of the Leopard 2A4, but in spite of it. The tanks, which put far more modern rivals in the shade in 2017, have long since outgrown their youth – even for long-lived military equipment.

The basic design of the Leopard 2A4 was the best that German engineering had to offer in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Durable, stable semiconductor technology was installed, the individual control and computer components were wired together and a highly complicated circuit diagram ensured that the 55-tonne tank could engage moving targets at speeds of more than 60 km/h at a distance of up to 3,000 meters with a high first-hit probability. Its night combat capability was also impressive. Since the production of the third batch between 1983 and 1985, from which the Bundeswehr’s tanks originate, there have been further significant technical advances. The Bundeswehr now operates the Leopard in the 2A6M version and the 2A7 version is currently being introduced. Sweden uses the Stridsvagn 122, a Swedish version of the Leopard 2A5, which German tank officers describe “off records” as the best Leopard ever built. Denmark is also in the process of introducing the Leopard 2A7 and Canada, whose former Chief of Staff once said that the Canadian Armed Forces had thrown a millstone around its neck with the abolition of main battle tanks, has again purchased main battle tanks and is constantly improving their armament. The most recent Leopard user country is Hungary. The soldiers of the Honvédség (Hungarian armed forces) are eagerly awaiting the entry into service of 44 2A7s from 2023. Until then, they have leased twelve Leopard 2A4s from the manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to switch from the previous T-72 fleet and are being trained on this model by the PzB14. These tanks are vehicles from the Koninklijke Landmacht (Dutch armed forces), which were sold to Austria in 1996 and in turn sold on to KMW by Austria. Although this does not close the circle, it clearly shows that the armored vehicles of the Austrian armed forces have achieved a great deal, but have long since reached retirement age in technical terms.

New nerves for the Leopard So what does a refresher course of treatment have to involve in order to keep the Leopard 2A4 with sufficient combat power for even longer? This is summed up by the unwieldy word obsolescence overhaul. The built-in electronics date back to the mid-1970s and early 1980s of the last century. These components are no longer available or can no longer be used to control the new components. All measures to extend usage in other countries, including our neighbor Switzerland, therefore require the installation of new cabling as a fundamental technical prerequisite for all further measures. This is a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, i.e. an open data ring line that also enables the inclusion of additional or newer modules. By sequencing the data, the line is better utilized and the system releases the data line according to priority. A CAN bus is required to process the increasing amount of digital information, for example from a command information system or from additional sensors for active and passive PAL defense systems, which can subsequently also be used for drone defense. In short, the Austrian Leopards need a new nervous system. https://militaeraktuell.at/bodenueberwachungsradar-beagle-systeme-fuer-oebh/ Optical targeting and sighting equipment In addition to renewing the cabling, it is also necessary to replace essential assemblies. The detection of targets up to a distance of 4,000 meters requires precise, night-combat-capable optics for the gunner and commander. The thermal imaging devices (WBG) installed in the Leopard 2A4 version are technically identical to those in the A5, A6 and A7 versions, but are around 30 years older. Although they have been constantly repaired in the army, they have never been replaced. In addition, the tank commander and the gunner have to share one WBG, which is no longer state of the art. The tank commander’s current main optic is the PERI (periscope) R17A1 all-round telescopic sight. This is gyro-controlled and has no night vision; the gyroscopes also react sensitively to heat and cold, especially in old age. This optic therefore needs to be replaced. The Swiss Armed Forces have taken a useful approach here by enlarging the mount for the PERI and installing a new, night-vision-capable model in the same place. Another viewing device that needs to be considered is that of the tank driver. Here, a camera solution corresponds to the current state of the art. The installation of a camera requires a screen at the driver’s seat. This could subsequently be linked to a command information and navigation system. It is also technically possible to transmit the image from a rear-view camera that is not yet available, which would serve to protect the crew, as the commander would not have to expose himself outside the hatch when reversing. In addition, a reversing camera would also increase general road safety and should therefore be considered as part of the extended use program.

Armament The main characteristic of the main battle tank is its armament. In the case of the Leopard, this is a 120 mm caliber smoothbore gun. Originally, a barrel with 44 caliber lengths (L44) was installed. In response to improved armor, guns with 55 caliber lengths (L55) were used from the A6 model onwards. In addition, more powerful types of ammunition were developed, but these could still be fired with the L44. The L55 barrel is characterized by a higher penetration rate at long ranges. However, in wooded and built-up terrain and when crossing deep trenches, the L55 tubes have disadvantages in terms of maneuverability. For this reason, the L44 tube with its operational firing range can be considered quite adequate in most of Austria with its hilly topography. However, there is a need for the weapon tracking system (WNA), which must be converted to the electric – or E-WNA for short – system available on the market if the tank is digitized. The same applies to the barrel brakes. Here, only reinforced tubular brakes designed for the higher pressure load caused by more powerful ammunition are available and must therefore be replaced. The coaxially mounted machine gun (MG) of the FN-MAG type has already been overhauled and adapted to the needs of the tank crew. The turret roof machine gun, also an FN-MAG, is serviceable and not affected by obsolescence. The chassis, hull and turret are not in need of renewal, but require a good overhaul. The hull must be reinforced at the front and rear edges to prevent signs of fatigue from becoming a reason for failure. The measures described are necessary in order to be able to continue operating the main battle tank system for training and deployment and are also within manageable budgetary limits. https://militaeraktuell.at/test-fuchs-liefert-pruefstaende-fuer-saab-gripen-e/ What else is possible The measures described so far are necessary to extend the service life of the main battle tank. However, the catalog of a comprehensive increase in combat effectiveness is far more extensive. Technically speaking, any Leopard 2A4 can be turned into an A7. The German Bundeswehr has proven this with massive investment. In addition to a drone detection and defense-capable weapon station, as developed by the armaments company Kongsberg and active protection measures against guided anti-tank weapons (such as the Trophy system), protection against armor-piercing bomblet ammunition on the turret and hull roof, the L55 tank gun described above, additional armoring of the turret and hull and reinforcement of the floor plate for better mine protection could be considered. The Barracuda camouflage system would also have to be procured. In addition, power caps (electrical storage units that absorb voltage peaks) and an auxiliary power unit could be installed, but this would only be possible with interventions in the turret and hull structure. Such metalwork on armored steel is time-consuming and cost-intensive, even for highly qualified specialists. All these measures lead to an increase in overall weight of up to 70 tons, which is why modifications to the chassis would also be necessary. This would also require reinforcement of the torsion bars and additional hydraulic end stops. The higher and more expensive chain wear should be mentioned here to complete the picture. If all these components were installed, they would then have to be taught to understand each other digitally, which is also time-consuming and cost-intensive. Instead of a comprehensive increase in combat effectiveness, however, it would also be possible to quickly and comprehensively extend the number of tanks defined in the PzB14 organizational plan. Viewed as a whole, the unit solution is preferable in the medium term. If the number of available units falls below a certain level, the system will not be sufficiently available for combined arms combat. This results in a capability gap for the entire armed forces with their interdependent branches of arms. In addition, the soldiers of the tank battalion would have to master two types of main battle tanks. This in turn leads to an increased need for training and exercises, which would be difficult to accomplish and highly uneconomical. The mix of armament levels is logistically complex, as two systems have to be supplied with different spare parts. Therefore, in many European countries, the small unit level has proven to be the level that must be operated as an absolute minimum. However, the aforementioned Hungarian armed forces have moved away from the one-company solution, as the logistical and training costs were too high in relation to the low combat power. The acquisition of the top model Leopard 2A7 was due to the unavailability of more cost-effective variants such as a used Leopard 2A5/6 battalion. This enormous leap in technology is a huge challenge for the crews. The armored forces of Germany and Denmark are also going through such difficult experiences with the seemingly small step from the 2A6 to the A7. Conclusion The Leopard 2A4 main battle tank has reached the end of its technical life. There are two options for its continued use: on the one hand, a small number of main battle tanks can be modernized with the best possible level of armament and an extension of service life with an accompanying increase in combat effectiveness, although this would entail high costs. On the other hand, a broad-based solution is possible by simply extending the service life of all tanks in service by eliminating obsolescence. Based on the above facts, the second option appears to be the better one. This is particularly true from the point of view that it is the man and not the machine that is the decisive factor on the battlefield. A certain breadth in training and the number of battle tanks available must continue to be given in order to meet the necessary requirements in the Austrian armed forces.