Leopard 2 Tank

Facts for Prelims

Leopard 2 Tank

News: Germany is unsure whether to allow its Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine. 

About:
• Leopard 2 is a German-manufactured main battle tank with a range of about 500 km.
• It is one of the world’s leading battle tanks used by the German Army for decades and by the militaries of more than a dozen other European nations. It has seen service in conflicts in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Syria. 
• The tank is powered by a diesel engine. It features night-vision equipment and a laser range finder that can measure the distance to an object, enabling it to better aim at a moving target while travelling over rough terrain. 

Advantages:
• The Leopards are in Europe, they are easy to get to Ukraine, and several European countries use them, so they are readily available.
• Logistics and maintenance would be easier. Spare parts and know-how are here in Europe, so the training of Ukrainians would be easier. 
• However, opponents believe that the supply of tanks would be an escalation of the involvement of NATO countries in the war, heightening the risk of the war spreading.