Manufacturer’s permission is required to install reactive armor on Leopard tanks – expert

To install reactive armor modules on Leopard tanks, one needs to obtain the manufacturer’s permission.

Mykola Salamakha, a specialist in the armored industry, shared this with Militarnyi in his interview.

The “To Arms” project discussed the maintenance and operation of armored vehicles that Ukraine receives from allies.

Mykola Salamakha noted that the Leopard tanks that Ukraine will receive will have a lifespan of 5,000 km. The gun resource for the Leopard 2 can be within 650-750 shots. For the Leopard 1, which is equipped with a rifled 105mm gun, it can be bigger.

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“We will have vehicles that will be able to travel at least 5,000 km and will be able to fire at least 300-350 shots. This is a lot, given the intensity of hostilities in Ukraine. Leopard 1 will also be brought to a range of 5,000 km, the tank’s gun is better in terms of barrel life, and its resource can be greater,” he said.

Mykola Salamakha also emphasized that the only problem that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could face is the protection of the Leopard 1 tank.

“If the Germans give permission and work out to make it possible also to install Kontakt-1 ERA, then, perhaps, we will already get a Ukrainian modification of Leopard 1. If this is technically unacceptable, then we will have to use tactics to get out of this situation. It is necessary to receive such things from the developer because it is impossible to constructively interfere with the vehicle if it is not provided for in certain technical documents and if at least some tests have not been conducted,” he emphasized.

Adding the reactive armor modules, for example, Kontakt -1, could increase the weight of the tank to 2 tons, but the main issue is the likely plunge into the centering of the turret. It is necessary to calculate everything so that it does not affect the tactical and technical characteristics of the combat vehicle.

“This is the task of technical specialists, ours and the Germans, who developed this vehicle,” Mykola Salamakha added.

The Leopard 2 tank is equipped with modern armor using various materials, so it hardly needs additional protection. At the same time, if there are ideas to strengthen the protection, they should be worked out together with the manufacturer.