Theoretical: Lepoard 2A6 in a Desert (Iraq / Afghanistan)

[Jack Johnson]

Hoi me and my buddys had the usal "best tank in the world" discussion. As most times, it was "Abrams vs. Challenger 2 vs. Leopard 2A6"

The Abrams went out pretty quickly, and we were comparing the Challenger 2 vs. the Leopard. Now in my personal opinion, I think the Leopard is a good choice in a standart middle-european combat-zone. But what about Iraq or Afghanistan?

I think I read somewhere the canadians where having dust-related problems with their old Leopards, while the Challenger 2 performs near to perfect, with not a single tank lost.

Is there any information / theoretical evaluation about a deployment of Leopard 2A6 in a desert environment?

Thanks in advance.

[DavidDCM]

The Leopard 2 is operating in moderate numbers in Afghanistan, used by the Danes and Canadians. While there were problems with crew compartment heating up to near intolerable temperatures I personally haven't heard about reliability problems due to sand. But I don't want to rule it out completely, nothing is impossible.

Your statement about the old Canadian Leopards seems to refer to the Leopard 1 which was or is also in use in Afghanistan. But apart from the name, the Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 have hardly anything in common, they are technically very different machines. So a problem faced by the Leopard 1 is unlikely to occur in the Leopard 2 as well.

[Jack Johnson]

Originally Posted by DavidDCM

The Leopard 2 is operating in moderate numbers in Afghanistan, used by the Danes and Canadians. While there were problems with crew compartment heating up to near intolerable temperatures I personally haven't heard about reliability problems due to sand. But I don't want to rule it out completely, nothing is impossible.

Your statement about the old Canadian Leopards seems to refer to the Leopard 1 which was or is also in use in Afghanistan. But apart from the name, the Leopard 1 and Leopard 2 have hardly anything in common, they are technically very different machines. So a problem faced by the Leopard 1 is unlikely to occur in the Leopard 2 as well.

To be honest, I dont know if the phrase "old Leopard" referred to the Leopard I or 2A4...But apart from that, arent there plans that the German Army get some of their Leopards to Afghanistan?
They seem to have problems with their standart Dingos and Fuchs beeing to vulnerable.

On the other hand a german friend told me the politicans in germany are afraid the Leopards might look to intimidating on the streets to guarantee a proper cooperation with the civilians.

[Waylander]

Right now there are 10 (with 5 more in the Pipeline IIRC) Marder A5 in Afghanistan as well as 3 Panzerhaubitze 2000.

No Leos but some politicians and soldiers want them there. There are also other voices that say that they are too heavy for the terrain.

The Leo IIs in Canadian and Danish service cope well with the environment. The Danes use the Barracuda system to keep theirs cool and the Canadians adopted this too recently (including these lovely umbrellas for the TC/loader )

Leopard IIs are also in use with Spain, Greece and Turkey in some very hot and dusty environments including the Spanish posessions in Northern Africa. The Danes and others tested their Leos for example in Spain.

The Leo performs well in such environments and has no more problems with heat and dust than can be expected as machinery of every kind is going to suffer in extreme environments.