Now, before anyone says I will be biased because I'm Singaporean,
I'm also from Malaysia.
This video will be an unbiased comparison between the main battle tanks of Singapore and Malaysia.
The Singapore Army operates the Leopard 2SG main battle tanks developed by Germany
while the Malaysian Army operates the PT-91M Pendekar developed by Poland.
Poland's PT-91 tanks are the improved variant of the Soviet T-72 tanks.
Singapore operates 170 of these Leopard 2 tanks, of which 45 are Leopard 2A7 variants.
Malaysia operates 48 PT-91M.
The Leopard 2 tank is armed with one 120 mm gun and 2 general purpose machine guns
The PT-91 is armed with one 125 mm gun, one general purpose machine gun,
and one heavy machine gun.
The Leopard 2 is able to penetrate up to 750 mm at 2 kilometers.
The PT-91's penetration power is 560 mm.
In terms of ammunition, the Leopard 2 also carries more.
The Leopard 2 requires 4 crew to operate whereas the PT-91 only requires 3
due to the presence of an autoloader.
This allows the PT-91 to have a higher sustained rate of fire,
assuming the autoloader does not malfunction,
achieving a firing rate of 8 to 10 rounds per minute.
While a well-trained human loader can achieve a higher rate of fire,
he would eventually get tired during prolonged engagements.
The Leopard 2 have a maximum firing range of 5 kilometers with the standard APFSDS ammunition.
While the Leopard 2's main gun is also capable of firing the Israeli LAHAT anti-tank guided missile,
there is no indication that Singapore is using this ammunition.
PT-91 have a maximum firing range of about 4.5 kilometers.
Having the firepower would be useless if the tank cannot find its targets.
The initially purchased PT-91 does not have thermal imaging nor night vision
and the Malaysian Army had to upgrade their PT-91M with the French SAVAN fire control
system and VIGY-15 panoramic sight to enhance their target-finding capability.
The Leopard 2 comes with thermal sight, digital fire control system and laser range-finder.
Additionally, Singapore's Leopard 2 are equipped with the Commander's Open
Architecture Panoramic Sight (COAPS) configured with different sensors
thermal imagers, day and night charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras and laser range-finders.
Both tanks have stabilizers, allowing them to fire on the move.
Both tanks are also said to have ballistic computers, allowing them to engage moving targets.
The estimated armour thickness of a Leopard 2SG is about 800 millimeters.
The PT-91M's armour thickness is similar to a T-72 but the armour composition was upgraded.
The PT-91M is also reinforced by explosive reactive armour in some areas,
which decreases high explosive impact by 50 to 70% and armor penetration by 30 to 40%.
Do note that not all parts of the tank have the same thickness.
Given the superior armour of the Leopard 2SG and the penetration power as discussed earlier,
the PT-91M is unlikely to penetrate the Leopard 2's armour.
On the other hand, the PT-91M's armour cannot withstand a 120mm APFSDS round from a Leopard 2.
Both tanks have laser warning systems.
This means when your tank is illuminated by enemy laser,
the crew will be notified and can deploy countermeasures.
Both tanks are equipped with smoke grenade countermeasures.
Both tanks also have respective CBRN protection systems.
Both tanks don't seem to have blow-out panels that protects the crew against ammunition detonation.
The Leopard 2 does have an automated fire and explosion suppression system
which the PT-91 does not have.
The bottom hull of the Leopard 2 is also reinforced to protect against land mines.
It was also reported that Singapore is receiving Rheinmetall's Active Defence System (ADS).
However, there is no verification regarding the installation of ADS on the Leopard 2SG.
While the Leopard 2 engine generates more horsepower, the Leopard 2 is also heavier.
As a result, both tanks are similar in terms of mobility.
In terms of fuel capacity, the Leopard 2 can carry more.
However, Malaysia's PT-91M is often seen with extra fuel tanks,
granting additional fuel capacity.
The ability to carry more fuel doesn't mean anything if your fuel consumption is high.
The Leopard 2 is more fuel-efficient.
Fuel consumption varies depending on whether the tank is driving on the road or off the road.
Other factors also affect fuel consumption.
For instance, keeping the tank engine running while the tank is stationary.
So, do take this with a pinch of salt.
Mathematically, the Leopard 2 would have a longer operational range
as compared to the PT-91M on a similar terrain.
In conclusion, the Leopard 2SG is superior in terms of firepower,
max firing range, protection, survivability and operational range.
I can't comment on the target-finding or FCS,
I have never operated tanks before.
The likelihood of a 1-on-1 tank battle is low.
In the era of combined arms warfare,
tanks would likely be supported by infantry and close air support.
Other factors such as (military) intelligence
and terrain would also play a role.
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