simply its the worst of the 6.0 panthers its not very strong compared to a panther G it trades turret armor for a range finder which only works on long range maps which you rarely see it would help the 5.7 line up of Germany immensely
because the APDS on the Gepard exists, and is balanced by only having 40rnds, unlike Falcon/AMX where the APDS was never used in the HSS 831L, and had it in the entire belt
The Gepardy vehicles have been far too strong for far to long now, both with overperforming APHE, and facing off against 1940s and 50s play with radar gun AA. Same should apply to all the Gepardy vehicles.
The Panthers A and G are now at 6.0. The Panther D offers the same protection, improved mobility, but a harsh reduction in turret traverse. It should not be able to face 4.3 tanks, many of which have no chance in a frontal engagement, which becomes even more severe at range. At 5.3, it is functionally a heavy tank with excellent mobility when fighting in downtiers.
Although certainly weaker than a normal Panther, its firepower makes it very dangerous, and against many 4.0 and 4.3 tanks it is still far too powerful. Most 75mm and 76mm guns from 4.0-4.7 cannot reliably fight it, while its armor and firepower can easily wipe the floor. Like the Panther D, it is functionally a highly mobile heavy tank when downtiered.
Overall a worse F-4E. Worse RWR (SPO-10, same as MiG-21MF for example), half as many radar missiles, and taking them means you’re also limited to only two IR MSLs.