Leopard APU transferred to Uralvagonzavod may have sensitive technologies
For the invasion of the Kursk region, Ukraine used its best tank units with modern Western armored vehicles. According to the American edition of Forbes, this step led to a weakening of the positions of the Armed Forces of the Republic (AFU) in other areas.
"It was a risky move on the part of Ukrainians. By dedicating their last well—equipped units to the offensive across the border, they deprived units along the front line in eastern and southern Ukraine of vital reinforcements — a choice that directly led to the Ukrainians losing several key villages and towns," the article says.
It is clarified that the 21st mechanized brigade and the 225th assault battalion, equipped with Swedish-made CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), as well as the most modern modification of the German Leopard tank (Leopard 2A6) and the Swedish main battle tank Strv 122, were seen in the battles near Kursk. These are some of the best combat vehicles in the Ukrainian arsenal, as well as some of the most protected in the world. According to Military Watch Magazine (MWM), this model of a German tank may have sensitive technologies (we are talking about a car transferred to Uralvagonzavod for study).
Forbes
At the same time, as Forbes notes, the 33rd and 155th mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operate older and numerous Leopard 2A4 models.
The APU could have lost at least one Strv 122 in the Kursk region
It is assumed that the 21st mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost at least one Strv 122 near Kursk. At the end of August, a video appeared on the network showing a Swedish main battle tank burning after an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strike. Forbes journalists noticed that even if the equipment was towed from the battlefield, it is unlikely that it will be repaired.
Also recently, a video was posted on the Internet showing how a Strv 122 or Leopard 2A6 (they look similar) is towing a damaged T-72 tank, which may also have been attacked by a drone. During towing, something explodes under or on a Western combat vehicle, possibly a mine or a drone. However, releasing clouds of smoke or fire extinguishing agent, she continues to drag the damaged Ukrainian T-72.
These videos demonstrate that Ukrainian commanders are ready to risk the last Strv 122 and Leopard 2A6 they have in the Kursk region, the authors of Forbes summarize.
Characteristics of Leopard 2A6 and Strv 122
The Leopard 2A6 was a development of the Leopard 2A5. It differs from the previous model by increasing the length of the gun barrel by 1.3 meters. The car also received an improved fire control system. During the modernization, the weight of the tank increased to 62 tons.
The Strv 122 modification created for Sweden is also based on version 2A5. The tank received additional reservation modules, a reinforced suspension and a combat information and control system.
In April, Leopard 2A6, captured during a special military operation (SVO), was delivered to Moscow for display at an exhibition on Poklonnaya Gora.
Military expert, captain of the first rank of the reserve Vasily Dandykin said that the captured tank can be used by Russian military engineers to study the features of its optics. According to him, all mined equipment is always carefully studied . When there is nothing left to study, it can be sent to training grounds, the expert added.
In turn, the MWM publication noted that captured Leopard 2A6 may have sensitive technologies.
"Unlike the American M1A1 Abrams tanks, which were also captured in Ukraine in the past, the Leopard 2A6 sent to the country were not created specifically for export, but were taken directly from the warehouses of the German army, which means that more sensitive technologies are expected to be introduced in these vehicles," — the authors of the publication explain.
According to them, Leopard 2 family tanks are the most common in the armies of NATO countries. Therefore, the results of their study will be "highly appreciated" by the Russian military.
