Germany’s Leopard 2A7 Tanks: Current Numbers, Exports, and Environmental Impact
Germany has a significant military presence, including a substantial number of battle-ready vehicles. Among these are the Leopard 2A7 tanks, a main battle tank renowned for its performance and reliability. This article explores the current number of Leopard 2A7 tanks in Germany, their export status, and the environmental impact of tank operations.
Current Numbers of Leopard 2A7 Tanks in Germany
According to recent data, Germany currently possesses a total of 328 active Leopard 2 tanks. Of these, 104 are the A7 variant. The German military sends 18 Leopard 2 A6M tanks to Ukraine, which are to be replaced with 18 Leopard 2 A8 in the future. Additionally, Germany plans to order around 105 more Leopard 2 A8 variants in the coming years. The Leopard 2 A8 is essentially the same tank as the Hungarian 2A7 variant, which is more advanced than Germany’s current 2A7 models.
The availability rate for these tanks is approximately 80%, but this figure could be higher if measured against the standards of other nations. Germany maintains very stringent rules, which can affect how availability rate is defined and reported.
Future Plans and Domestic Usage
Germany aims to have around 400 active Leopard 2 tanks in the future. To support this goal, Rheinmetall has ordered 25 used Leopard 2A4 tanks from Switzerland, which may be used as spare parts.
Notably, while Germany has a large number of tanks, the actual availability and combat readiness are much lower than these figures suggest. According to reports, barely any tanks are actually ‘in the field.’ The majority of the tanks are in storage and not operational, making their overall usage and availability significantly less than the reported numbers.
Environmental Impact of Tanks
The environmental impact of tanks is significant. Tanks are among the most resource-intensive military vehicles, both in terms of energy consumption and material usage. Germany’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions include the phasing out of cars and, by extension, tanks. The German military is currently in the process of eliminating various vehicle fleets, including those of tanks.
It is worth noting that even in storage, tanks contribute to the environment due to factors such as maintenance, storage space, and the need for secure facilities. While there are no active tank battalions in Germany, the logistics and infrastructure required to maintain and store these tanks still pose an environmental challenge.
Export Figures and Other Nations’ Orders
Germany has been exporting Leopard 2 tanks to several countries in recent years. For instance, Hungary has ordered around 40. Italy is expected to order between 125 to 250 tanks, while Norway has purchased over 50. However, the Norwegian order has not been fully fulfilled as of now.
Lithuania and the Netherlands are also planning to purchase over 50 tanks each. These orders reflect Germany’s reputation for quality and reliability, as well as the international demand for modern armored vehicles.
Conclusion
Germany’s possession and export of Leopard 2A7 tanks highlight the importance of these vehicles in modern military operations. However, the true availability and effectiveness of these tanks are lower than the reported figures. Moreover, environmental concerns are a growing factor in the ongoing use and maintenance of these and other armored vehicles.