M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks

#GS-03 Science and Technology.

Why in News:

Germany and the United States have decided to send battle tanks to aid Ukraine in ongoing conflict.
U. S. will be sending 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine while Germany will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks.

For Prelims

M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks

M1 Abrams US made third-generation main battle tank designed by Chrysler Defense (now owned by General Dynamics Land Systems).
It has been designed for modern armoured ground warfare and utilises Chobham composite armour, a multifuel turbine engine separate ammunition storage in a blow-out compartment, and NBC protection for crew safety.
The M1 Abrams was developed to replace the obsolescent M60 tank.
The M1 Abrams entered service in 1980s and has been serving as the main battle tank of the United States Army since the Persian Gulf War.

Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks

Leopard 2 is a third-generation main battle tank (MBT) developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s for West German Army.
Leopard 2 was developed to replace the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the West German Army.
Currently Leopard 2 operated by the armed forces of Germany, as well as 13 other European countries, and several non-European nations including Canada, Chile, Indonesia, and Singapore.

For more updates, click here

M1 Abrams and Leopard 2