Challenger 2 vs Leopard 2 vs M1A1 Abrams: Comparing the West's modern battle tanks helping Ukraine
Ukraine has repeatedly urged its Western allies to supply it with tanks to help repel the Russian invasion.
In January the UK announced it would send 14 Challenger 2s, and in March Germany agreed to send a first shipment of Leopard 2 tanks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has now confirmed that the first of the American-supplied M1A1 Abrams tanks have been delivered to Ukraine.
Nato, during the first months following the invasion, had preferred that its member countries only supply Ukraine with older tanks such as the Leopard 1.
But the UK's delivery of the Challenger 2 paved the way for modern Western tanks to be given to Ukraine.
Countries such as France have also offered to supply armoured vehicles, in what could be a pivotal move in Kyiv's war effort against Moscow.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France would send dozens of armoured vehicles and light tanks, including AMX-10 RC armoured fighting vehicles.
France has also not ruled out sending its Leclerc tanks to Ukraine.
The deployment of Leopard 2s, Challenger 2s and M1A1 Abrams was dismissed by Russia, which predicted they would "burn" on the battlefields of Ukraine.
"I am convinced that many specialists understand the absurdity of this idea," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in January.
But how do the tanks compare - and what do they offer Ukraine?
The British Challenger 2
The Challenger 2 main battle tank has a glistening service record in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq.
However, in early September one of the British-supplied tanks was destroyed in Ukraine.
It was disabled after hitting a mine before being struck by a Russian loitering munition, also known as a kamikaze or suicide drone.
The incident means this is the first Challenger 2 to have ever been lost to enemy action.
The head of the British Army said he felt an "emotional tug" seeing footage of the Challenger 2 burning in Ukraine.
Weighing 64 tonnes, the Challenger is twice as heavy as the first tanks in the First World War, and much heavier than the 55-tonne Russian T-14 Armata.
Challenger 2 Specifications:
- Crew: Four - commander, driver, gunner and loader/operator
- Main armament: L30A1 120mm rifled main gun
- Secondary armament: 7.62mm L94A1 coaxial chain gun, 7.62mm L37A2 on loader/operator's station
- Armour: Chobham/ Dorchester Level 2 classified
- Length: 8.2m or 12.5m gun forward
- Height: 2.5m
- Top speed: 37mph on road, 25mph off-road
- Range: 340 miles on road, 160 miles when travelling cross-country
The German Leopard 2
The Leopard 2 is widely regarded as the best of its kind in the world, and is currently being used by 20 countries, including Ukraine.
Around 2,000 of the German-made tanks are being operated by the likes of Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.
In April, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Spain would send 10 of its Leopard 2A4 tanks.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz first agreed to send Leopard 2s to Ukraine following a formal request from Poland.
The Ukrainian government has said tanks, and especially the German-made Leopards, are vital if it is to prevail over the Kremlin's invading forces.
In March, the German defence ministry confirmed that the first shipment of Leopard 2 tanks was sent to Ukraine.
The shipment saw 18 of the cutting-edge vehicles delivered after Ukrainian crews were trained to use them.
Defence minister Boris Pistorius said he was sure the tanks could "make a decisive contribution" on the frontlines of the war.
Leopard 2 Specifications:
- Crew: Four – commander, driver, gunner and loader/operator
- Main armament: Rheinmetall Rh-20 120mm main gun with 42 rounds
- Secondary armament: two 7.62mm MG3 or two FN MAG machine guns
- Range: About 311 miles
- Top speed:43mph
- Armour: third-generation composite
- Powered by a 1500hp/1,100 kW diesel engine
- Weight: 62.3 tonnes
- Height: 3m
- Length: 7.7m
The number of available Leopard tanks led to many seeing them as the best option for Ukraine – as they would be easily deployable.
The US M1A1 Abrams
Along with its numerous military aid packages, the US is also expected to send 30 of its fast-moving M1A1 Abrams tank to Ukraine to also assist with its war effort.
Similar to Germany, the US had been hesitant in the delivery of tanks, the US cited extensive and complex maintenance and logistical challenges with the high-tech vehicles.
The Abrams, like the other Western armoured vehicles, is state-of-the-art and is more powerful than many of the Soviet-era tanks that are being fielded by both Russian and Ukrainian forces.
M1A1 Abrams Specifications:
- Crew: Four – commander, driver, gunner and loader/operator.
- Main armament: 120mm smoothbore main gun with an effective range in excess of 2.5 miles
- Secondary armament: Two 7.62mm machine guns, one 12.7mm machine gun
- Length: 8m
- Armour: Composite armour
- Range: 265 miles
- Top speed: 42mph
- Weight: 57 tonnes
- Height: 2.4m
- Length: 9.77m
However, the US tank is powered by a Honeywell AGT1500 gas turbine engine, making it less suitable than the German-made Leopard 2 and the UK's Challenger 2 tanks due to its high fuel consumption and maintenance needs.
President Joe Biden described the Abrams as "the most capable tanks in the world".
Along with the tanks they are donating, the UK and US will be providing depleted uranium rounds, which are very effective at piercing armour.
France's Leclerc
After the UK, US and Germany committed to sending tanks, the door was open for other Nato allies to do the same.
Discussions are still being had as to whether France will supply its Leclerc main battle tanks.
France had already agreed to send AMX-10 RCs armoured fighting vehicles, but stopped short of committing to the delivery of the Leclerc.
Reportedly Paris has argued that, unlike the German Leopards, which are used across Europe with around 2,000 available, there are only about 200 Leclercs, which are also no longer in production.
Leclerc Specifications:
- Crew: Three
- Main armament: 120mm smoothbore main gun
- Secondary armaments: 12.7mm coaxial M2HB, 7,62mm machine gun
- Range: 342 miles
- Top speed: 44mph on road, 34mph off-road
- Armour: Third-generation composite
- Weight: 54 to 57 tonnes depending on variant
- Height: 2.5m
- Length: 9.87m, 6.88m without gun
French sources have said the Leclerc is heavy on maintenance, which means it would be difficult to create a logistical chain in Ukraine.
Also given Paris would only be able to provide a small number, it could be argued that their value on the ground would be limited.
Paris is reportedly continuing to study the request and a decision may be made soon.
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