The moment the World War II began, France actually had more better-armed tanks at its
disposal compared to the Germans, and France military has deployed a number of light armored
machineries and air power in its missions In Congo, Afghanistan, Mali and other African
countries.
However, despite the notable name of its tanks, there are French army’s main battle tanks
which haven’t fired its shots since the Gulf War.
Which one of the tanks is this?
Hello everyone.
Welcome back to another episode of Military TV.
In today’s session, we are going to discuss one of the best tanks on earth originated
from France, the Leclerc Tank.
If you don’t want to miss crucial information on this topic, stay with us until the end
of this video.
The Leclerc main battle tank (MBT) is a 57-tonne tracked machine manufactured by Nexter Systems,
a French state-owned weapons manufacturer (previously known as Giat Industries).
It can fire arrows, explosives, and canisters in both stationary and mobile modes.
The MBT is in service with the French Army and the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces
(UAE).
In September 2001, the French Army placed the final order for 52 Leclerc tanks, bringing
the total order to 406 tanks (plus 20 armored recovery vehicles).
In October 2007, deliveries were completed.
As of May 2021, the French Army possessed a fleet of 200 Leclerc tanks.
The UAE ordered 390 tanks and 46 armored recovery vehicles (ARVs).
The tanks and ARVs were delivered respectively in 2004 and 2008.
Let’s now discuss about the history of Leclerc Tank.
France had been wanting to replace the AMX-30 main battle tank, and in 1964, studies were
started to explore possible options for the replacement vehicle.
The study called ‘Engin Principal Prospectif’.
In view of several inferiorities of the AMX 30 compared to the new generation of Soviet
tanks at that time, the French government placed an order to begin the Char Futur project
in 1971.
And a few years after that, in 1975, a working committee was established and following that
has agreed on a number of specifications.
Less than a decade later, in February 1980, French decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding
with West Germany for a joint development of a main battle tank, named as Napoleon I
in France and Kampfpanzer III in Germany.
However, significant friction about the proposed configuration resulted in a failure of the
partnerships in December 1982.
Subsequently, it was announced that a purely French battle tank, codenamed ‘EPC’ (Engin
Principal de Combat) would be developed.
The importation of foreign equipment, such as the M1 Abrams, Leopard 2, and Merkava,
had been investigated and rejected.
The project was launched in 1986 under the name "Leclerc," with six prototypes built
in a short period of time.
Mass production began in 1990 with the four-unit Batch 1, which was primarily used for comparative
tests in foreign countries.
Batch 2's 17 units were delivered, with improvements to the turret and hull armor.
These units were quickly retired after being diagnosed with engine and suspension problems.
Batch 3 came next, with some improvements that were used to define the doctrine of use
and instruction.
After having been refurbished at the end of the 1990s, the 4th and 5th batches were better
constructed, eliminating the repeating issues originated from the powerplant and are still
in active service.
With additional climate control system in the right side of the turret, the second series
then started with Batch 6.
Consequently, the 7th batch featured a transmission system to the vehicle’s command and a dataset
system providing instant vision of the condition of all battle tanks and targets which have
been acquired, while Batch 8 was an improvement and modernization of the electronic system.
Lastly, Batch 9 restituted the imaging of thermal with better resolution.
By 2010, a defence review was done by the authorities, and a total of 240 Leclerc tanks
were in operational units, with each of the four regiments operated 60 the tanks.
This figure did not include a further 100 units in combat ready reserve.
Now, let’s dig in the design and features of the Leclerc tanks.
Primarily, the Leclerc is armed with a CN120-26 120 mm modele F1 smoothbore gun designed by
the arsenal of Bourges (EFAB).
Its barrel is 52 calibres long rather than the 44 calibres common on most main battle
tanks of its generation, resulting in a higher muzzle velocity for the projectile.
The Modele F1 is known for its compatibility with 120x570mm NATO ammunition.
This gun complemented by a magnesium alloy thermal sleeve and an automatic loading mechanism.
Elevation, depression and turret traverse of the gun are all powered electrically.
For its secondary armaments, the Leclerc is equipped with a 12.7 mm coaxial M2 heavy machine
gun and also a roof-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun, while most of other NATO tanks utilized
7.62 mm weapons for their coaxial as well as mounts for top machine gun mounts, except
for the American M1 Abrams, which features a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and two of top-mounted
machine guns, respectively a 7.62 mm and a 12.7 mm.
What makes Leclerc is special is the fact that at 60 tons, the tank is 10 tons lighter
compared to most western main battle tanks.
And this brought about abundance of benefit—a better power-to-weight ratio, lower ground
pressure, amazing acceleration and also a relatively high maximum speed up to 45 miles
per hour.
On top of that, Leclerc is more efficient in terms of fuel spending, as it could travel
340 miles prior to refueling, compared to 260 miles for other tank like the Abrams.
This absolutely reduces the logistical burden of the tank.
Finally, let’s take a look at the operational history of the Leclerc.
In service after the Persian Gulf War, the Leclerc has mostly been dispatched to areas
with low-intensity of conflicts, such as Kosovo and Lebanon.
Within the boundary of UN peace-keeping missions, their performance was judged favorably by
the officials of the French government.
Up to 2010, the total of 13 Leclercs were deployed in the southern part of Lebanon for
a peacekeeping operation with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The only other army to purchase Leclercs was the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE purchased 390 "tropicalized" versions with V12 engines, as well as 46 armored recovery
vehicles.
The UAE Leclercs were also deployed on the Kosovo peacekeeping mission, where the difference
was stark.
When compared to the French tanks, the Emirati Leclercs had superior sensors and systems.
According to UAE sources, the Leclercs have been damaged four times by anti-tank weapons.
Two incidents appear to have involved IEDs, a third a rocket-propelled grenade that deflected
off the target tank's Azure slat armor, and a fourth an anti-tank missile.
The Leclercs survived in all cases, though a missile did kill a tank commander when it
struck the commander's hatch.
The Leclercs were praised by the UAE tankers, as they conveyed their satisfaction with the
tank.
The performance of the tank reportedly “impressed” the armies of the coalition.
In January 2016, there has been a report about the Saudi government’s approach to Nexter,
the manufacturer of Leclerc, in what was understood as a sign of interest by the kingdom to purchase
the great French tanks.