The Armed Forces showed LOOPARD 1A5 combat work: Tank is still relevant on the battlefield (video)
This adaptation indicates the efforts of the Armed Forces to increase the survival of outdated platforms in the face of modern anti -tank systems, and proves that Leopard 1 is still relevant on the battlefield. The video was posted on November 29 by the crew by the press service. According to Army Recognition Operators, the war in Ukraine showed the vulnerability of traditional passive armor to modern threats such as anti-tank guided missiles (PTKR), grenade launchers and drones-Kamikadze.
Although Leopard 1A5 is famous for mobility (up to 65 km/h), its main 70 mm thick armor is not designed to confront modern threats. Installation of ERA together with mesh screens to protect against drones significantly increases the chances of a machine to survive on the battlefield. Thus, "Contact-1" is intended to compensate for the relatively weak armor of the tanks, improving the protection of cars from cumulative charges.
Experts say that "Contact-1" allows to reduce the breakdown of anti-tank missiles to 92%, which is especially important at the Ukrainian Theater of hostilities, where grenade launchers and PTKR are widely used. However, the system has restrictions. For example, after the blocks are triggered, these armor areas become vulnerable during repeated hit. Therefore, the degree of survival of the crew is significantly reduced.
The features of this protection also lead to the fact that approximately 27% of the tank surface, including the lower part of the tower, remain unprotected. In addition, "Contact-1" practically does not protect against tandem charges and kinetic ammunition, which remains a weak place in the face of modern Russian weapons. "The 5th tank brigade, which is armed with these upgraded tanks, plays a major role in the broad military strategy of Ukraine.