Leclerc Tanks for Ukraine? In recent days, French officials have fired a volley of announcements about further military aid to Ukraine. 

French President Emmanuel Macron announced security aid that will include more SCALP-EG air-to-ground cruise missiles and hundreds of bombs. In addition, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force suggested that he is in discussions with his French counterparts about potential transfers of Dassault Mirage-2000D fighter jets. These announcements come on top of military aid that has included AMX-10RC tank killers, SCALP-EG cruise missiles, Ceasar 155mm self-propelled artillery, and other weapon systems and munitions. 

But with the Ukrainian military deep in the fighting, more is needed, especially in main battle tanks, which often bear the burden of the fighting. 

There is a French solution to that. 

The Leclerc Main Battle Tank 

Named after the famed Marshal Phillipe Leclerc, the Leclerc is a fourth-generation main battle tank with advanced capabilities.

The Leclerc sports a powerful 120mm 52-caliber smoothbore gun that can fire up to 12 rounds per minute in the hands of a well-trained crew. The gun can fire armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds. In addition, the French-made tank has a 12.7mm heavy machine gun for urban combat, as well as a 7.62mm roof-mounted for anti-aircraft use.

When it comes to armor, the Leclerc has a similar level of protection in its hull and turret as the German-made Leopard 2, which the Ukrainians use in numbers. In a battlefield full of loitering munitions, artillery, and anti-tank weapons, armor is a key part of fighting. 

In terms of speed, the Leclerc is slower than the M1A1 Abrams, which is already in Ukrainian service, but requires less logistical support in terms of maintenance and fuel. 

In addition to the French Army, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan operate the Leclerc. Both countries ordered over 800 tanks, but a smaller number of them are operational today. France is steadily phasing out the Leclerc in favor of the new tank that will come out of the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) program, a joint French and German venture to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks. 

Let’s Talk About Armor

Perhaps the most underrated attribute of Western main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers in Ukrainian service is the armor. 

Time and again, we have seen Western heavy systems in Ukrainian hands getting hit by Russian munitions but surviving to tell the tale. Although the Leopard 2, M2 Bradley, M1126 Stryker might need urgent repairs after such an incident, the crew is alive and unharmed. That ability to withstand and survive even direct hits is invaluable because the experienced, trained crew can fight again. Morale is also high because troops know that they are going into battle in a war machine they can trust, unlike their Russian counterparts, who often know that they are sitting on top of moving gunpowder kegs. 

To prevail over Russia, the Ukrainian military depends on continued Western security aid. The Leclerc main battle tank is an excellent option for the Ukrainians if they can handle the logistics of another major heavy weapon system. 

About the Author  

Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP. Email the author: [email protected].

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