French military analyst and analyst Thibault Fouillet estimates that any breakthrough in Ukraine would require at least 100 modern western tanks given their heavily fortified and Russian positions. This Foundation for Strategic Research analyst also believes that massive concentration on one point of the frontline is essential to achieving tactical and operational gain. Fouillet believes that the Zaporizhia front would be the most crucial for the future of the war.
Territory of Ukraine
occupied by Russia
Military analysts believe western tanks should be concentrated on the Zaporizhia front or between Kharkov and Luhansk.
Territory of Ukraine
occupied by Russia
Military analysts believe western tanks should be concentrated on the Zaporizhia front or between Kharkov and Luhansk.
Compared to the Russian T-72, T-80 and modern T-90 tanks, the Leopard 2, which NATO promises to send to Ukraine, has several advantages. Aside from being a standard for 15 NATO countries, experts point out that Russian tanks have a design flaw that makes them vulnerable and to which they lost hundreds of units in Ukraine. Unlike modern Western main battle tanks, the Russians store ammunition under the turret. Fire caused by a shell or impact will cause the ammo to explode and decapitate the tank.
The design of the Leopard 2 and the M1 Abrams puts the crew first. The ammunition is separated in an armored compartment.
If a shell hit the ammunition, the blast would propagate outward without injuring the crew.
The T-90 prioritizes rate of fire. Ammo is automatically loaded from a spout located below the crew, leaving them vulnerable.
An incendiary grenade or fire on board can detonate all ammunition, decapitating the tank and killing the entire crew.
Dozens of photos taken in Ukraine show T-72 and T-90 tanks decapitated and destroyed by exploding ammunition.
The design of the Leopard 2 and the M1 Abrams puts the crew first. The ammunition is separated in an armored compartment.
If a shell hit the ammunition, the blast would propagate outward without injuring the crew.
The T-90 prioritizes rate of fire. Ammo is automatically loaded from a spout located below the crew, leaving them vulnerable.
An incendiary grenade or fire on board can detonate all ammunition, decapitating the tank and killing the entire crew.
Dozens of photos taken in Ukraine show T-72 and T-90 tanks decapitated and destroyed by exploding ammunition.
If a shell hit the ammunition, the blast would propagate outward without injuring the crew.
The design of the Leopard 2 and the M1 Abrams puts the crew first. The ammunition is separated in an armored compartment.
The T-90 prioritizes rate of fire.
Ammo is automatically loaded from a spout located below the crew, leaving them vulnerable.
An incendiary grenade or fire on board can detonate all ammunition, decapitating the tank and killing the entire crew.
Dozens of photos taken in Ukraine show T-72 and T-90 tanks decapitated and destroyed by exploding ammunition.
Leopard 2s, like the Soviet T-72s, were made in Germany in the 1970s, but the Germans already had a much higher level of quality and armor than their Soviet rivals. There are several models of Russian tanks that can overtake the more modern Leopards, but the maneuverability of these tanks is better than most Russian main battle tanks active in Ukraine.
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The Leopard 2 is designed to engage moving targets – even when traversing rough terrain – and features scopes for night combat. It has a fully stabilized main gun and a computer controlled firing system.
Contributed to this report Christian Seura
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