The Leclerc has been positioned at a much lower weight category than its contempories, such as the Leopard 2, Challenger 2 and Abrams. This nowadays has little benefit, but does limit its ability to use heavy armour. It isn’t really any harder to spot, and there is a lot of scepticism on the autoloader. It makes the life of the gunner harder, especially in the case of the autoloader failing. Also, with modern sighting devices, and overhead weapons systems, the loader can be very useful, keeping an eye out for bad guys, allowing the commander to focus on command tasks, and helping the gunner protect the vehicle. The Leclerc hasn’t done particularly well in competitions internationally, losing out mostly to the Leopard 2, not just on cost grounds, but on capability and armour protection.
AMEN!!!!! Went to war in the M-1A1 in 91……….having the 4th crewman around was a VERY big help when doing such things as maint. and all the other little “details” that every military unit has to do. And the autoloader is just something else to break- and usualy at the WORST moment.
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