🚀 Upgraded Leopard 1 Tanks Showcased by Ukraine’s 5th Armored Brigade
🛡️ Ukraine’s 5th Separate Armored Brigade has publicly showcased its upgraded Leopard 1A5V tanks for the first time, highlighting improvements that address key vulnerabilities. Originally supplied by a German-Danish-Dutch consortium, nearly 200 of these Cold War-era tanks have been delivered to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
⚔️ The Leopard 1A5, a lightweight 1980s-era tank, is known for its speed—up to 70 kph (44 mph)—and the accuracy of its British-designed 105mm L7 rifled gun, effective at ranges up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). However, its 50-year-old design was initially vulnerable to modern threats, including anti-tank guided weapons and FPV drones.
🛠️ To counter these threats, the upgraded Leopard 1 tanks now feature additional armor, including explosive reactive armor (ERA) on the frontal and side projections, and foldable mesh screens designed to reduce drone effectiveness. These enhancements aim to protect the tanks from modern anti-tank weapons and Russian drones prevalent on the battlefield.
🔥 Ukrainian tankers praised the upgrades, particularly the EMES-18 fire control system, which is based on the Leopard 2’s more advanced EMES-15 sight and includes a night sight. This allows effective nighttime operation, outperforming many Russian tanks still using outdated Soviet-era sights.
🎯 The upgraded Leopard 1 tanks also benefit from the 105-mm APFSDS ammunition, capable of penetrating the frontal armor of Russian T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks. However, securing a steady supply of ammunition for the 105mm L7 gun remains a challenge, though it is still used in countries like Israel and South Korea.
📈 Despite its age, the Leopard 1A5V's upgrades demonstrate that this tank can still make a significant impact on the battlefield, providing Ukraine with an effective tool against Russian armored forces.
🛡️ Ukraine’s 5th Separate Armored Brigade has publicly showcased its upgraded Leopard 1A5V tanks for the first time, highlighting improvements that address key vulnerabilities. Originally supplied by a German-Danish-Dutch consortium, nearly 200 of these Cold War-era tanks have been delivered to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
⚔️ The Leopard 1A5, a lightweight 1980s-era tank, is known for its speed—up to 70 kph (44 mph)—and the accuracy of its British-designed 105mm L7 rifled gun, effective at ranges up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles). However, its 50-year-old design was initially vulnerable to modern threats, including anti-tank guided weapons and FPV drones.
🛠️ To counter these threats, the upgraded Leopard 1 tanks now feature additional armor, including explosive reactive armor (ERA) on the frontal and side projections, and foldable mesh screens designed to reduce drone effectiveness. These enhancements aim to protect the tanks from modern anti-tank weapons and Russian drones prevalent on the battlefield.
🔥 Ukrainian tankers praised the upgrades, particularly the EMES-18 fire control system, which is based on the Leopard 2’s more advanced EMES-15 sight and includes a night sight. This allows effective nighttime operation, outperforming many Russian tanks still using outdated Soviet-era sights.
🎯 The upgraded Leopard 1 tanks also benefit from the 105-mm APFSDS ammunition, capable of penetrating the frontal armor of Russian T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks. However, securing a steady supply of ammunition for the 105mm L7 gun remains a challenge, though it is still used in countries like Israel and South Korea.
📈 Despite its age, the Leopard 1A5V's upgrades demonstrate that this tank can still make a significant impact on the battlefield, providing Ukraine with an effective tool against Russian armored forces.