So, which country would win a tank fight? Russia already has the Armata in prototype form, but some questions are emerging about whether or not it will make it into service. This tank, called Leopard 3, is intended to be a match for Russia’s Armata T-14. Germany is taking steps to design a new tank in conjunction with France. It just has two problems: There are only 328 of them after major defense cuts after 2010, and Germany also refuses to use depleted uranium in its armor-piercing rounds and tank armor. Originally deployed with a 120mm main gun, Germany refitted it with a similar gun with a barrel that was 25 percent longer. Germany’s best tank at present is the Leopard 2A6.

Petersburg, Russia, as part of the Zapad 2017 exercises September 18, 2017. Russian T-72B3 tanks roll during a military exercise at a training ground at the Luzhsky Range, near St. Washington’s reported promise on 24 February to deliver a significant number of its own Abrams tanks appears to have broken the deadlock.Īn official US announcement on delivering Abrams is expected in the coming days.Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. Germany has tried to tie the supply of Leopards to a wider coalition that would supply other tanks, including US Abrams – a tank viewed by experts as being less suitable for the war in Ukraine because of its heavy consumption of fuel. The supply of main battle tanks had been seen as problematic because of their much more obviously offensive capabilities. It prefers a multilateral approach on arms supply to Ukraine rather than being seen to be moving unilaterally.Īlthough Germany has supplied a large amount of equipment to Ukraine, including armoured cars, it has also been wrestling with its post-second world war tradition of anti-militarism. Germany’s position on sending heavy weaponry has been conflicted. Chart of Leopard 2 inventories of European and Nato countries Why the delay?

Modern tanks vs ww2 tanks