Countries around world gradually adapt russian-Ukrainian war experience in strengthening armored vehicle protection from drones. This time Leopard 2PL tanks from Polish Army fleet got cage armor.
11th Armored Cavalry Division of Polish Armed Forces published photos from recent Black Defender 26 exercises. They show Leopard 2PL with mesh structure around turret and analogous screens on sides.
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Thanks to new protection, quantity of classic vulnerable zones from above or rear of turret was reduced on tank. However between turret and side screens there is small gap where space remains for drone strike, although hitting there may be quite difficult.
Also around engine-transmission compartment there are no additional protective structures, leaving this part open for engagement by enemy drone. Thus one can quite easily immobilize tank, which will put it out of action on battlefield.
For example, on Ukrainian tanks this area is attempted to be covered by extending cage armor from turret, or installing additional protection elements on engine-transmission compartment itself or around it. Thus tank survivability is increased.
This is not first time Polish armored vehicles are spotted with anti-drone protective structures. Previously photos appeared of KTO Rosomak with side screens and quite strange cage armor: first appeared with quite bulky one limiting turret rotation, and then appeared with 2022-era cage armor.
Recall Leopard 2PL is Polish modernization of German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks. Most notable difference is armor reinforcement, but besides this gun was modified for using modern ammunition, auxiliary power unit installed, fire control system, observation and communications assets updated. Have been delivered to troops since 2020.
Considering Black Defender 26 exercises included interaction with UAVs, and some armored vehicles had painted red crosses as if targets for engagement or strike marks, one can assume current anti-drone protection is test version and based on various test results better variant will be made.
For now EW assets and active protection systems on Polish Armed Forces tanks will be installed only on K2PL, which will begin arriving in 2028. Poles already announced plans to purchase APS and develop own one, but firm agreements have not yet been concluded.
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