Leopard 2

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{{AFV | name= Leopard 2A6EX | image=Image:Leopard2A6.jpg | caption= | crew=4 | length= 7.7 m | width= 3.7 m | height= 3.0 m | weight= 62 tonnes | armour= composite; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component. | primary= 120 mm L55 smoothbore | secondary= 2×7.62 mm MG 3i | engine=MTU MB 873 | engine_power= 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) | suspension=torsion-bar | speed_road= 70 km/h | pw_ratio= hp/tonne | range= 550 km }}

The Leopard 2 is a German main battle tank built by the German company Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann, developed in the early 1970s and first entering service in 1979, replacing the earlier Leopard as the foremost MBT in the Bundeswehr. Its different versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and ten other European countries.

There are two main development batches of the tank, the original models up to Leopard 2A4 which have vertically faced turret armor, and the "Improved" batch, namely Leopard 2A5 and newer, which have angled arrow-shaped turret add-on armor together with a number of other improvements. All models feature digital fire control systems with laser range-finders, fully stabilized main gun and coaxial machinegun and night vision equipment (first vehicles used a Low-Light Level TV system or LLLTV, thermal imaging was introduced later on). The tank has the ability to engage moving targets while moving over rough terrain. It can drive through water 4 meters deep using a snorkel or 1.2 meters without any preparation and climb vertical obstacles over 1 meter high. The tank is powered with a turbo-charged 1500 hp producing multi-fuel V12 diesel engine that gives the vehicle a top speed of 68 km/h.

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Development

Work on the Leopard 2 design was started in the aftermath of the MBT-70 project by Krauss-Maffei, with development work proceeding in the 1970s, the design was selected from one of 17 prototypes in 1974. The design was to be known as the Leopard 2 with the original retroactively becoming the Leopard 1. It used the 120 mm Rheinmetall gun (as eventually did the U.S. Abrams). The Leopard 2 initially used perforated armour (but not Chobham armour as often claimed.) and a host of new features; it has been successful enough in Europe that the manufacturer has started calling it the Euro Leopard. It was adopted by the Swiss armed forces in the late 1980's, beating both the French Leclerc and the M1 Abrams. However, France, Britain, and Italy all have their own MBTs tanks currently; it is mainly the smaller countries that have adopted it. Image:Polish Leopard2A4.jpg Even as the Leopard 1 was entering service in the 1965, an up-gunned Leopard with the new Rheinmetall L44 120-mm gun being was considered to keep pace with the newer Soviet designs, but this was cancelled in favor of the joint MBT-70 "super-tank" project with the United States. The MBT-70 was a revolutionary design, but after large cost overruns, Germany withdrew from the project in 1969.

As mentioned, the new project resulted in 17 prototypes, with one being selected in 1974 for production. The tank was dramatically better protected than the earlier design, and included a much larger and blockier looking turret as a result of using perforated steel block armour and a large internal ammunition storage locker in the rear.

Several test articles were produced, and in 1976 the US indicated its interest in the design as well. In response several more test turrets were produced to US standards, one mounting the original L7A3 105 mm gun and a Hughes fire control system, a second with the same fire control system but able to "swap out" the gun for the 120 mm Rheinmetall design, and two more mounting the Hughes-Krupp Atlas Elektronik EMES 13 fire control system, one with the L7 and another with the 120 mm gun.

The prototypes, Leopard AV (Austere Version) arrived in the US by the end of August 1976, and comparative tests between the Leopard 2 and the XM1 (the prototype name for the M1 Abrams) prototypes were done at Aberdeen Proving Ground, lasting until December. The US Army reported that the Leopard 2 and the XM1 were comparable in firepower and mobility, but the XM1 was superior in armor protection. Today we know this was only true as regards a hit by a hollow charge; against KE-attack the Leopard 2 was almost twice as well protected as the original M1 (650 mm to 350 mm). The difference with a shaped charge is also negligible. Additionally, the 120 mm Rheinmetall gun was found to be far superior in subsequent NATO tank gunnery contests, compared to the 105 mm M7 mounted on the Abrams. Its more traditional multifuel diesel engine is also much more reliable, and provides the same performance. During the tests, the Leopard AV was found to be unarmored and hollow thus too light, negating all performance data. After the comparative test the Leopard 2 prototypes were returned to Germany for further evaluation.

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Production history

Image:Leopard 2 A6M.JPG In September 1977 the German Ministry of Defense decided to go ahead with plans for production of 1,800 Leopard 2's, to be delivered in five batches. Krauss-Maffei was again chosen as the main contractor, but this time Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK), of Kiel, Germany would be a major (45%) subcontractor. Deliveries started in 1979, and by 1982 the first batch of 380 Leopard 2; 209 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10001 to 10210) and 171 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20001 to 20172) was completed. of these mounted an image intensifier, the last 80 with a new thermal night-sight system, and this was later retrofitted to the earlier models.

The first export customer was The Netherlands which received 445 between 1981 and 1986; 114 of these were later sold to Austria and 52 of these were later sold to Norway. Sweden also purchased 280 Leopards, 160 early models, designated Stridsvagn 121, and the rest 2A5 models (122). Spain leased 108 2A4 models in the interim period before 219 licence-made 2A6 models (Leopardo 2E) were built. Switzerland bought 380 between 1987 and 1993. A number of countries also use versions of them including Poland, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Turkey and Chile. Germany has fielded about 2125 of them in various versions. The design was also tested by Britain in the 1980s, which ultimately decided on the Challenger 2.

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Variants

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Leopard 2A1

A number of minor modifications and the installation of the gunner's thermal sight was worked into the second batch of 450 vehicles Leopard 2 designated the A1; 248 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10211 to 10458) and 202 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20173 to 20347). Deliveries of the 2A1 models started in March 1982 and ended in November 1983. The two most notable changes were the modification of the ammunition racks to be identical to those in the M1 Abrams, and redesigned fuel filters that reduced refueling time.

A third batch of 300 Leopard 2; 165 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10459 to 10623) and 135 by MaK (Chassis Nr. 20375 to 20509.) 2A1's of the third batch were built between November 1983 and November 1984, which included more minor changes that were later retrofitted to the earlier 2A1's.

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Leopard 2A3

The fourth batch of 300 vehicles Leopard 2;165 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10624 to 10788) and 135 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20510 to 20644) was delivered between December 1984 and December 1985. The main change was the addition of the SEM80/90 digital radio sets (also being fitted to the Leopard 1 at the same time), and the ammunition reloading hatches being welded shut. Even with these minor changes the new batch was known as the 2A3.

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Leopard 2A4

Image:Leopard2 a5 front.jpg The most wide-spread version of the Leopard 2 family, the 2A4 models included more substantial changes, including an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system able to handle new ammunition types, and improved turret with flat titanium/tungsten armor.

370 vehicles Leopard 2; 190 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10789 to 10979) and 180 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20645 to 20825) were delivered between December 1985 and March 1987. Although only five batches were originally ordered, another batch of 150 vehicles Leopard 2; 83 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10980 to 11062) and 67 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20826 to 20892) was ordered in 1987. These included new batteries and tracks, and moved the warning light so it could be better observed by the driver when he was driving "head out". Yet another batch of 100 vehicles Leopard 2; 55 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 11063 to 11117) and 45 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20893 to 20937) was delivered between May 1989 and April 1990, identical to the sixth. A smaller batch of 75 vehicles Leopard 2; 41 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 11118 to 11158) and 34 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20938 to 20971) were delivered until 1992.

All older models have been upgraded to the 2A4 standard.

Sweden received 160 used examples on loan while waiting for the 120 Leopard 2(S) they ordered. The Leopard 2A4 is designated Strv121 in Swedish service.

Finland has bought 124 Leopard 2A4 from German Army reserve stocks.

Greece has bought 183 Leopard 2A4 from German Army reserve stocks. The first units were delivered in time for the October 28th parade in Salonica.

Spain has bought 108 used Leopard 2A4 from Germany.

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Leopard 2A5

The A5 introduced a wedge-shaped spaced add-on armor to the turret front and sides. The gun mantle was redesigned to accept the new armor. There were also some improvements in the main armor composition. Tank interior received spall liners to reduce fragments if the armor is penetrated. Side skirts were replaced with a new type. The commander's sight was moved to a new position behind his hatch and it received an independent thermal channel. The gunner's sight was moved to the turret roof as opposed to the cavity in the front armor in previous models. New drivers hatch. Turret controls went all-electric.

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Leopard 2A6

Includes the addition of the 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun (Rheinmetall DeTec AG) and a number of other changes. The L55 gun can destroy a T-80U at a range of 4 km Template:Fact.

On March 202003 the Greek army ordered 170 new LEOPARD 2 HEL (Hellenic), to be delivered between 2006 and 2009. The first units have been delivered already before 2006. Leopard 2 HEL images and info

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Leopardo 2E

A derivative of the version 2A6 (with greater armor protection), developed under a program of co manufacture between the industries of Spain and Germany. The program is developed within the frame of collaboration decided in 1995 between the Ministries of Defense of both countries, in which also was included the cession of use by a period of five years of 108 Leopard 2A4 from the German Army to the Spanish Army. However, this cession was extended up to 2016, and after that those tanks will be of the Spanish Army. In 1998, the Spanish government agreed to contract 219 tanks of the Leopard 2E line, 16 recovery tanks Leopard 2ER (Bufalo) and 4 training vehicles. They choose Santa Bárbara Sistemas as the main contractor. The program, with a budget of 1,939.4 million Euros, includes also the integrated logistical support, training courses for crew instructors and maintenance engineers and driving, turret, maintenance, aiming and shooting simulators. Deliveries of the first batch began in 2004 and should complete in 2008.

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Leopard 2(S)

  • Strv 122 used by the Swedish Army
  • Based on the 2A5
  • Has upgraded Command and Control systems and increased armor protection.
  • Can be distinguished from the 2A4 Strv 121 by its wedge-shaped turret armor.
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Pz87

Used by Switzerland

  • Swiss built machine-guns and communications equipment.
  • Improved NBC protection.
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Leopard 2 PSO

New variant Leopard 2 PSO - (Peace Support Operations). Version for urban combat.

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Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak

  • Basic combat engineering vehicle used by Switzerland
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Bergepanzer BPz3

  • Armored recovery vehicle
    • Germany (as Büffel),
    • The Netherlands (Buffel)
    • Sweden, slightly modified, as the Bgbv 120.
    • Spain, Leopard 2ER (Bufalo)
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Panzerschnellbrücke 2

Armoured vehicle launched bridge Leopard 2 Chassis

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Driver Training Tank (Fahrschulpanzer)

Driver Training Tank Leopard 2

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Operators

  • Austria, 114 Leopard 2NL(A4)
  • Denmark, 51 Leopard 2 A5+
  • Finland, 124 Leopard 2A4
  • Germany, 852 Leopard 2 (502 Leopard 2A4, 125 Leopard 2A5, 225 Leopard 2A6)
  • Greece, 183 Leopard 2A4 and 170 Leopard 2GR(HEL)
  • The Netherlands,180 Leopard 2A6NL
  • Norway, 52 Leopard 2NL(A4)
  • Poland, 128 Leopard 2A4
  • Switzerland, 380 Pz 87
  • Sweden, 160 Leopard 2A4 as the Strv 121 and 120 Leopard 2(S) as the Strv 122
  • Spain, 108 Leopard 2A4 and 219 Leopard 2A6 as the Leopard 2E
  • Turkey, 298 Leopard 2A4
  • Chile, 118 Leopard 2A4
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External links

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