That's because the first few images show a crewman getting into a 6x6 WHEELED armoured vehicle, not the LeClerc MBT.cypress said:Does not look like a "MBT". at the very start of the video the driver opens the hatch and the armor could not be much more than 1 inch thick. The M1 abrams has over 1ft (over 10cm) of armor in the front. It looks light and flimsy. More like a tank destroyer or a light tank. Reminds me of the old british crusader. Thats where everythings going though, light tanks that are fast but thin armor. I wouldent want to fight in one of those.
It is partially right. In France we have light armored divisions that are parts of our "foreign legion". Historically, these forces were created to recruit men from our settlements and to protect them.You French really like light armored but powerfull armed vehicles definitely more than most of the other european countrys. I think this could be because of your experience in Africa.
Is this right?
That must be right, but I'm not really sure... Others divisions are equipped with, apart from the Légion Etrangère.The Lègion Entrangère has the 1. REC and one squadron in the 13. DBLE equipped with AMX-10 right?
If you are going to mention Abrams you must also mention Challenger. From what I have read it is a proven performer and is descibed as the most heavilly armoured western tank in wikipecia.Wild Weasel said:The Russian T-34 deserves it's label as one of the best tanks in history of armor, because it was brutally effective in battle. So too was the Tiger, the Centurion, and the Abrams. They have all been key to winning a decisive victory over their counterparts.
As sexy as the LeClerc may be, I don't believe she has yet fired a shot in anger, nor has she been shot at.
Wikipedia is a very good general reference source but is is not authorituve, however, the point remains the C2 is heavily armoured and I understand harder to kill than an Abrams. It has also seen combat in the second gulf war while challeger I was in the first.Waylander said:Wikipedie is not the source of choice for armor estimates of modern MBTs.
But you are right, is is said to be heavily armored.
[Pedantic mode] 1 foot is 30.5 cm. 1 inch is 25.4 mm, & 1 foot = 12 inches. [/Pedantic mode]Zombie Krupp said:1ft is 25.4cm BTW,
Not much lighter armoured. It weighs slightly more than a basic M1 or Leopard 2 (56.5 tons, vs 54-55 tons), but is about 10% smaller. An M1A2 weighs about 62-63 tons (or about 70 of those 907 kg American "tons"), a Leopard 2A6 about the same. That gives a weight/volume ratio only very slightly higher than the Leclerc.Waylander said:The Leclerc weights 56 tons. You cannot really think you are getting through it with 12,7mm. It may be lighter armored than some other tanks (Challi II, M1A2SEP, etc) but nevertheless it is a real Main Battle Tank.
Or do you think an Leopard 2A4 or an M1 is not a MBT?
alexsa said:Wikipedia is a very good general reference source but is is not authorituve, however, the point remains the C2 is heavily armoured and I understand harder to kill than an Abrams.
Um,Big-E said:LeClerc MBT looks like the Porsche of MBTs in this video, just look at those headlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DWY6rqMnw4&search=French Military
One thing I noticed was the monkey wrench. Does that sign in the back say
"Veuillez serrer l'après utilisation." Please tighten after use?:lol3
We had similar results in the tests back in 2000. Today GIAT is offering an up armored AZUR like version of Leclerc for TSKs MBT needs.. I wonder whose assistance will be sought GIAT , Rheinmetal&KMW or Korea..KWSN-Men said:A few years back, when Greece was going to buy it's new MBT's, they put in the same test track the M1, the Leo2, the Leclerc, the Challenger and the T-80. Latest versions at the time (about 6 years ago I think).
The results were a bit surprising. The T-80 was waaay back, the Leclerc came out 4th, quite close to the Challenger. Quite a bit front were the Leo 2 and the Abrams, very close. The Leo scored slightly better overall, but insignificant lead really. It all came down to the, to put it midly, problematic US after sales service and the turbine engines against the always available German parts and diesel engines. I do remember that the Lecrlerc had done really good in mobility though...
"Greatest tank ever"KWSN-Men said:By the way, I discovered this little video, don't know how many of you have seen it, but it does have some nice moves
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KxdEtyxa7Ao&search=exocet
Same here, just threw in some useless info about the documentary.KWSN-Men said:I am not saying that I agree with Discovery Channel views (or that I don't for that matter ) but the clip has some nice Leo 2 driving.