"The end of the Bundeswehr", or What's going on with German tanks

Defenseless Europe?

The Attitude of Western European countries for the defense did not criticize just lazy. The reasons for this are. Suffice it to recall the "strange" savings of the British people on the catapults for their new aircraft carriers "Queen Elizabeth" or, for example, the recent rumors that the second of these ships, the Prince of Wales", want to give US. Or, you can remember the "eternal" construction of a small French nuclear submarine "Suffren" which was laid in 2007 and so still and not handed over to the naval forces.

But this is for fleet, by default, is extremely sensitive to the economy and savings (current state of the Russian Navy is also a very good example).

And what about the ground forces, namely tanks? There is not all clear. It has long been a leading role in the European tank played the Germans, who, we recall, has created a global "best seller" of the Leopard 2 built a series of more than 3.5 thousand tanks. In the global ranking of tanks, which is the magazine Military Ordnance, machine traditionally ranked first. In General, experts do not stint on the praise.

But the German army and, in particular, armored vehicles (including, of course, the Leopard 2) actively criticize. Recently on the situation in the Bundeswehr with reference to the German media said the well-known expert in the armored industry Alex Hassle. "In a state of readiness are only 101 tank "Leopard 2" of the 245 existing in the army. Of the 284 heavy infantry fighting vehicles "Puma" combat-ready, only 67 units. Of the 237 armored "boxer" on the go 120, 220 of the reconnaissance armored vehicles "Fennec" — 116. Of the 121 self-propelled armored howitzer PzG2000 — 46" — notes Cares in his blog "Gur Khan attacks!"


Famous (and not-so-loving Russian defense Ministry) blogger Kirill Fedorov went on. Speaking about the state of the German armed forces, he recently described the almost total "Apocalypse" (here I can use another word if you wish). Almost nothing goes, doesn't fly and doesn't shoot. Well, if it shoots, it is "superexpensive" PARS 3 LR, which is no better than Hellfire.

Most went to Ursula von der Leyen, a former defense Minister and current President of the European Commission. While her criticism modestly silent, that when Mrs. von der Leyen Europe began development of the sixth generation fighter and main battle tank of the new generation. And in the budget for 2020, the Bundeswehr is scheduled for two billion euros more than in the current year (the Ursula von der Leyen demanded even more significant increases in defense spending). It turns out that the number of points does not converge or we misunderstood. What's the problem?

Easy to learn — hard to fight

Of Course, we have no way to compare in detail the status of all European armies, but there is something. In 2016, was the first tank of the competition "Strong Europe" (Strong Europe Tank Challenge), which took many European countries and the USA. The competition includes twelve stages, including a fire in the offense and defense, as well as the implementation of a number of exercises.

Total results German army is absolute favorite. The Bundeswehr won twice: directly in 2016 and 2018. In 2017 he took an honorable second place. In the German tanks Leopard 2 scored 1450 points. While the US was on the penultimate (!) place, beating only one country — Ukraine. And the reason for the defeat of the Ukrainians lay in that Strong Europe Tank Challenge sent is very old and almost unfit for combat T-84U "Oplot" (not to be confused with the more modern BM "Oplot").


By the Way, if you look closely, it turns out even more interesting situation: all three winners of the last competition used Leopard 2: the Germans had the Leopard 2A6, the Austrians — Leopard 2A4, and the Swedes their version of "the Leopard" under the name Stridsvagn 122.

Tanks, not much happens

But maybe this is the exception to the rule and General... is it possible to fight when you have only a hundred combat-ready tanks of two hundred (if you believe the German media)? In fact, interested in military equipment people need to understand that to achieve one hundred percent of the combat capability is almost impossible. Some machines will maintenance/upgrading/repair, etc. Is perfectly normal and natural world practice.

But the thesis about the total disarmament of Germany and the antics of the "evil" von der Leyen — an outright farce. Just recall that the October 29, 2019 at a ceremony in Munich, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) the Bundeswehr first modernized Leopard 2A7V. Contract 2017 the Leopard 2A7V have to redo the 68 vehicles Leopard 2A4, Leopard 2A6 16 and 20 tanks Leopard 2A7. 28 March 2019 KMW has received a second contract for the modernization to the level of 2A7V additionally 101st Leopard.


It is Worth saying that the new version is the de facto most advanced and sophisticated versions of the famous tank, while claiming to be the best main battle tank in the world for the sum of qualities (mostly, due to advanced electronics).

According to the blog bmpd, the implementation of the contracts will bring to life declared in 2016 Ursula von der Leyen programme to strengthen the Bundeswehr by 2020: according to him, the number of tanks the German army should be increased from 225 to 329 units. At the same time from this number 205 tanks will treat the modification 2A7V Leopard, and 104 — K version of the Leopard 2A6. Also by the way, very modern.

As you can see, the Bundeswehr shows a very high (best ifto be more precise) results in international competitions and thus be able in the near future to boast a large tank Park with some of the most advanced MBT. We mention that to judge the German armed forces, based on the speculation of the German media — not the best idea. In each country there is a hot political struggle, and the desire to denigrate their opponents have many of those for this power apply.


On the other hand, you need to understand something else: not every European country can afford to have the budget at the level of France or Germany. Moreover, even their partial gain — the result of Russia's actions and fears of the "threat from the East". In this context, the most reasonable option appears to be the creation of a European army: this would both reduce spending and to improve the defense capabilities of the EU. At least in theory.

The Europeans, of course, you can continue to hope for Uncle Sam, but, as world practice shows, the way Europe and the US can at some point break up. And all of these issues have to be addressed urgently, which of course also will not bring anyone satisfaction.