Leopard tank's narrow escape: A new view of drone warfare
A recording from a Ukrainian Leopard 2A4 tank has been shared on social media. The tank was attacked by a Russian drone, which narrowly missed it.
The war in Ukraine is often called the "drone war" because both sides use various types of unmanned aerial vehicles extensively. Drone footage frequently shows the targeting and trajectory towards a target or displays the effects of accurate hits. This time, a much rarer video has emerged online, offering a look at a drone attack from a different perspective.
Attack by a Russian drone on a Leopard 2A4 tank
As seen, the Russian drone did not destroy the Ukrainian equipment this time. It struck just a few centimetres in front of the hull of the Leopard 2A4 tank, whose crew was able to continue driving.
Russians, like Ukrainians, often use FPV (first person view) drones. These small unmanned aerial vehicles with built-in cameras provide real-time views until the moment of impact. Generally, these are simple commercial drones modified for military purposes by adding explosive charges. Such simple, improvised solutions prove effective not only against the oldest, Soviet-era tanks but even against newer and better-armoured designs. Drones are a threat to the Abrams used by Ukrainians or Russian T-90 tanks.
More advanced drones used by the Russians to destroy Ukrainian military equipment include Lancet drones.
German tanks are numerous in Ukraine
Among the Western tanks provided to Ukraine as support, the most numerous group consists of German Leopards. Various versions are reaching the front lines.
The Leopard 2A4 is a tank developed in the 1980s. Its engine produces 1,500 horsepower, allowing the crew to reach speeds of up to about 70 km/h. According to Ukrainian soldiers, the Leopard 2A4 performs well not only on roads but also provides efficient movement in more challenging terrain and mud.
Its main armament is the Rheinmetall L/44 120 mm smoothbore gun, and additional armament includes two 7.62 mm machine guns and a smoke grenade launcher. The Leopard 2A4 is equipped with the EMES 15 fire control system with thermal imaging, which, compared to Soviet-era tanks lacking this feature, offers an advantage in situational awareness on the battlefield.
