According to information published on Russian social networks, Russian soldiers appear to fear encountering German Leopard 2 tanks on the battlefield in Ukraine. Propaganda videos even exist showing how to destroy the Leopard 2 tanks. Like the German Tiger in World Word 2, the Leopard 2 is considered as a highly efficient tank killer for Russian troops.

1. Superior Firepower: The Leopard 2 tank is known for its powerful 120mm smoothbore gun, which provides exceptional accuracy and penetration capabilities. Its advanced ammunition can effectively engage enemy armored vehicles at considerable distances, giving it an advantage in firepower.
2. Robust Armor Protection: The Leopard 2 features advanced composite and modular armor that provides high levels of protection against various threats, including anti-tank missiles and kinetic energy penetrators. Its design prioritizes crew survivability and armored defense, which can make it challenging to disable in combat.
3. Advanced Technology and Systems: The Leopard 2 incorporates advanced technology, such as advanced fire control systems, thermal imaging, and integrated battle management systems. These features enhance situational awareness, target acquisition, and engagement capabilities, which can be intimidating to opposing forces.
4. Reputation and Combat Performance: The Leopard 2 tank has a long-standing reputation as a highly capable and effective main battle tank. It has been widely exported and used by several NATO countries, with a proven combat record in various conflicts. This reputation can create a sense of respect or caution among military personnel from other nations.

It’s important to remember that military assessments and perceptions can vary depending on the specific circumstances, training, equipment, and tactics employed by different armed forces. Additionally, combat effectiveness relies on the integration of tanks into a broader operational context, including air support, infantry coordination, and overall strategic planning.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding, it is recommended to consult reliable military analysis, reports, and firsthand accounts from credible sources that provide insights into specific instances or conflicts involving the Leopard 2 and Russian forces.

According to several military experts, the German Leopard 2 is considered one of the best tanks in the world in terms of mobility, protection, and firepower. However, the leopard 2 has never faced Russian tanks in combat unlike the British Challenger 2 or the American M1 Abrams tanks.

The Challenger 2 is a British main battle tank that entered service in 1998. It has been used in combat operations, during the Gulf Wαя and more recently in Iraq and Bosnia, and has a reputation for high survivability and mobility.

The M1 Abrams is an American main battle tank that faced Soviet-designed tanks in combat during the Gulf Wαя in 1991. The M1 Abrams faced Iraqi T-55, T-62, and T-72 tanks, and was highly effective against them, due to its superior firepower, protection, and mobility.

The Leopard 2 has not faced Soviet-designed tanks in direct combat. However, its advanced capabilities, including its high mobility, protection, and firepower, make it a formidable opponent against any tank, including those of Russian design. The Leopard 2 has faced a variety of other tanks in exercises and simulations and has been found to be highly capable in these scenarios.

In terms of protection, the Leopard 2 and T-72 are both reported as main battle tanks, but they have different armor protection designs. The Leopard 2 has a composite armor of ceramic and steel materials providing excellent protection against penetration from various types of munitions, including kinetic energy penetrators and shaped charges. The armor also provides a high level of protection against penetrators, including those from anti-tank missiles. The T-72, on the other hand, has steel armor that is thicker but less effective against advanced penetrators.

The Leopard 2 is also equipped with the latest generation of optics and fire control systems offering combat capabilities during day and night against static and moving targets in all conditions and also on the move. The gunner has a dual-magnification stabilized EMES-15 sight with an integrated laser range finder and thermal image unit (WBG) which are linked to the fire-control computer. He also has an auxiliary sighting telescope FERO-Z18 with a magnification of ×8.

The tank commander uses the thermal sight, which is integrated with the gunner’s EMES-15, to observe the battlefield. The picture is transmitted to the commander’s PERI-R17 so he can see the same frame as the gunner. Furthermore, the commander can control all functions of the fire-control system and the ωєαρσи slave system by a computer-controlled testing board called the RPP 1-8.

The laser range-finder has a range of 9,990 m and is accurate to ±10 m with measuring distances shown to three digits, together with the fire preparation and selected type of 120 mm ammunition in the lower part of the gunner’s sight.