NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Leopard 2

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 1 as the foremost MBT in the Bundeswehr. Its different versions have served in the armed forces of Germany and ten other European countries, as well as non-European countries. More than 3,200 Leopard 2s have been manufactured. Image File history File linksMetadata Leo2A5. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Krauss-Maffei is an injection molding machine manufacturer based in Germany. ... Military vehicles are commonly armoured to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets or shells, protecting the soldiers inside from enemy fire. ... The MG3 is an air-cooled, belt-fed general purpose machine gun manufactured by the German firm Rheinmetall. ... MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH is a manufacturer of commercial engines. ... A torsion spring is a ribbon, bar, or coil that reacts against twisting motion. ... The Al-Khalid or MBT 2000 (Type 90-IIM) is a modern main battle tank developed by China and manufactured by Pakistan. ... This article is about the tank. ... Arjun is a Main Battle Tank developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development) for the Indian Army. ... The British FV4034 Challenger 2 is an advanced new generation main battle tank (MBT) currently in service with the armies of the United Kingdom and Oman. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... K2 Black Panther (formerly known as KNMBT, or Korean New Main Battle Tank and XK2, or eXperimental K2) (Hangul: ì°¨ê¸°ì „ì°¨ K2 í‘í‘œ) is the Republic of Koreas recently revealed prototype for a next-generation main battle tank. ... The gunners position, looking down from the turret roof. ... The M1 Abrams is a military tank produced in the United States. ... The M-2001 MBT was presented by Yugoipmort SDPR for the first time in 2004 but under the designation M-84AB1, later an improved version of the tank was given to what is today the M-2001. ... M-95 Degman is a prototype Croatian main battle tank, developed in the factory Äuro ÄakoviÄ‡ specijalna vozila d. ... // The Merkava (Hebrew: , Chariot) is the main battle tank of the Israel Defense Forces. ... The PT-91 Twardy (translated PT-91 Twardy, meaning Tough) is a Polish main battle tank. ... The T-84 Main Battle Tank is a Ukrainian development of the Soviet T-80 main battle tank, first built in 1994 and entered service in the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 1999. ... This article is about the Russian tank. ... The TR-85 is a Romanian main battle tank that is a drastically modified version of the Soviet T-55 with a new turret, a new T-block powerpack (similar to the one used in the Leopard 1) based on a license-built V8 German diesel engine, and a completely... The Type 90(Japanese: ãã‚…ã†ã¾ã‚‹ã—ã ã›ã‚“ã—ã‚ƒ Kanji: 90å¼æˆ¦è»Š) is the current main battle tank (MBT) of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). ... The Type 96 is the latest variant of Chinas second-generation main battle tank (MBT). ... For other uses, see Type 99 (disambiguation). ... Born as the brainchild of brigadier general Mir-Younes Masoumzadeh, deputy ground force commander for research and self-sufficiency jihad of the armed forces, the Iranian Zulfiqar [Zolfaqar] main battle tank is believed to be pieced together or developed from major components of the Russian T-72 and American M48... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... Krauss-Maffei is an injection molding machine manufacturer based in Germany. ... The Leopard is the primary post-WWII German tank design, a design that has been in use as the primary main battle tank for most European countries in various versions since the early 1960s. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... The Bundeswehr (German for Federal Defence Force; ) is the name of the unified armed forces of Germany. ...

There are two main development batches of the tank, the original models up to Leopard 2A4 which have vertically faced turret armour, and the "Improved" batch, namely Leopard 2A5 and newer, which have angled arrow-shaped turret add-on armour 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 multi-fuel V12 diesel engine that produces 1,500 horsepower. Corbelled corner turrets at Newark Castle, Port Glasgow. ... A range finder is a device that measures distance from the observer to a target. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... Thermography can refer to a printing process and a imaging process. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... A diesel engine built by MAN AG in 1906 Rudolf Diesels 1893 patent on his engine design A Diesel engine is an internal combustion engine which operates using the Diesel cycle. ... This article is about a unit of measurement. ...

Development

Even as the Leopard was entering service in 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 favour 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. An M1 Abrams tank firing the Rheinmetall L44 fitted with a hoffman device. ... MBT-70: Prototype of the German 120 mm-armed version, identifiable due to the fume extractor. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ...

Work on a national development was started in 1970 by Krauss-Maffei. A year later a choice was made for it to be based on the earlier Experimentalentwicklung (later named Keiler) project of the late sixties (itself derived from the vergoldeter Leopard or Gilded Leopard), instead of being a modified MBT-70 or Eber. The name of the design was determined in 1971 as "Leopard 2" with the original Leopard retroactively becoming the Leopard 1. Seventeen prototypes were ordered that year (only sixteen hulls were built). They had to have a maximum weight of fifty metric tons. Krauss-Maffei is an injection molding machine manufacturer based in Germany. ... The Leopard is the primary post-WWII German tank design, a design that has been in use as the primary main battle tank for most European countries in various versions since the early 1960s. ...

On 11 December 1974 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the USA for the possible joint production of a new MBT, after the Americans had bought and investigated prototype hull number seven in 1973. In view of the experiences in the Yom Kippur War a much higher level of protection was demanded than was implemented in the prototypes, that used heavily sloped spaced armour. The weight class was increased to sixty tons. Prototype turret number fourteen was changed to test a new armour configuration, and was turned into a blockier looking turret as a result of using vertical steel perforated armour; it already had been much more voluminous than the turret of a Leopard 1 because of a large internal ammunition storage locker in the rear. The Leopard 2 thus initially used perforated armour but not Chobham armour as often claimed. PT-14 used the 120 mm Rheinmetall gun (as eventually did the U.S. Abrams). After this two new prototype hulls and three turrets were ordered, one (PT-20) mounting the original L7A3 105 mm gun and a Hughes fire control system, a second (PT-19) with the same fire control system but able to "swap out" the gun for the 120 mm Rheinmetall design (it was indeed so changed by the Americans), and one more (PT-21) mounting the Hughes-Krupp Atlas Elektronik EMES 13 fire control system, with the 120 mm gun. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 486 KB) Polish Leopard 2 A4 MBT From the web-page of the Polish Ministry of Defence Used with permission (see here for details) File links The following pages link to this file: Leopard 2 Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1600x1200, 486 KB) Polish Leopard 2 A4 MBT From the web-page of the Polish Ministry of Defence Used with permission (see here for details) File links The following pages link to this file: Leopard 2 Metadata This file contains additional... Polish Army (Polish Wojsko Polskie) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. ... is the 345th day of the year (346th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Israel Egypt, Syria, Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul Munim... Military vehicles are commonly armoured to withstand the impact of shrapnel, bullets or shells, protecting the soldiers inside from enemy fire. ... Chobham armour is a composite armour developed in the 1960s at the British tank research centre on Chobham Common. ... The M1 Abrams is a military tank produced in the United States. ... The Royal Ordnance L7 is the basic model of Britains most successful tank gun. ... A fire-control system is a computer, often mechanical, which is designed to assist a weapon system in hitting its target. ... Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defense company with factories in DÃ¼sseldorf, Kassel and UnterlÃ¼ÃŸ. It has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces. ...

In the summer of 1976 prototype 19 was assembled and shipped to the USA, together with hull number twenty and a special target vehicle to test the armour. The prototype was called Leopard 2AV (Austere Version) because it had a simplified fire control system. It 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 held from 1 September at Aberdeen Proving Ground, lasting until December 1976. The US Army reported that the Leopard 2 and the XM1 were comparable in firepower and mobility, but the XM1 was superior in armour protection. Today we know this was true as regards a hit by a hollow charge; but against KE-attack the Leopard 2 was almost twice as well protected as the original M1 (650 mm to 350 mm). Its more traditional multifuel diesel engine was also more reliable, and provided similar performance with less fuel consumption, although it did produce more noise but less heat. Hull twenty was fitted with simulation weights, which transpired to equal only the weight of a turret without armour modules fitted, devalidating all performance data. After the comparative test the Leopard 2 hulls were returned to Germany for further evaluation, but turret 19 remained and was fitted to the hull of prototype seven, whilst its gun was changed for the 120 mm Rheinmetall. In tests until March 1977 it was found to be far superior to the 105 mm M7 mounted on the Abrams, which was confirmed by subsequent NATO tank gunnery contests. The M1 Abrams is a military tank produced in the United States. ... Aberdeen Proving Ground is a United States Army facility located at Aberdeen, Maryland (in Harford county). ... A shaped charge is an explosive charge shaped to focus the released energy. ... A diesel engine built by MAN AG in 1906 Rudolf Diesels 1893 patent on his engine design A Diesel engine is an internal combustion engine which operates using the Diesel cycle. ...

Before tests had begun the United States had selected the Chrysler XM1 prototype for full development however the military still agreed to consider adopting the Leopard 2. In January 1977 Germany ordered a small preseries of three hulls and two turrets, delivered in 1978. These vehicles had increased armour protection on the front of the hull. In September 1977 1800 Leopard 2 were ordered, to be produced in five batches. The first was delivered on 25 October 1979. At that moment the Dutch army had already rejected the M1 because of its high operating costs and the refusal by the Americans to fit a Dutch version with the 120 mm gun and ordered 445 Leopard 2s on 2 March 1979. The Swiss ordered 35 tanks on 24 August 1983 and started licence production of 345 additional vehicles in December 1987. Thus hardly being a major export success in the eighties (no tank of the latest generation was), the type became very popular in the nineties, when the shrinking German army offered many of its redundant Leopard 2s at a reduced price. Today it has become successful enough in Europe that the manufacturer has started calling it the Euro Leopard. However, France, Britain, and Italy all have their own MBTs currently (Leclerc, Challenger 2 and Ariete respectively). The gunners position, looking down from the turret roof. ... The British FV4034 Challenger 2 is an advanced new generation main battle tank (MBT) currently in service with the armies of the United Kingdom and Oman. ... This article is about the tank. ...

Production history

In September 1977 the German Ministry of Defence decided to go ahead with plans for production of 1,800 Leopard 2s, 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. The earliest of these were mounted with an image intensifier, the last 80 with a new thermal night-sight system, and this was later retrofitted to the earlier models. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 707 KB) German Leopard 2 A6M main battle tank. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 707 KB) German Leopard 2 A6M main battle tank. ... The German Army (German: [1], [IPA: heÉ] ) is the land component of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence Forces) of the Federal Republic of Germany. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 Ã— 2304 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (3072 Ã— 2304 pixel, file size: 1. ... The Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung) is a ministry in the German Cabinet. ... Deutsche Werke was a German shipbuilding company founded in 1925 when Kaiserliche Werft Kiel and other shipyards were merged. ... This article is about the city in Germany. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

The first export customer was The Netherlands which received 445 between 1981 and 1986. The Netherlands later resold 114 of these (and one turret) to Austria, 80 to Canada in 2007,[2], another 52 tanks to Norway and finally 37 to Portugal. Sweden also acquired 280 Leopards, 160 2A4s from German stocks, designated Stridsvagn 121, and the rest 2(S) models (Strv122) similar to the 2A5. Spain leased 108 2A4 models in the interim period before 219 licence-built 2A6 models (Leopardo 2E) were ready to replace them. 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. The Australian Army evaluated ex-German Leopard 2s as a replacement for its Leopard 1 tanks in 2003 but instead selected the M1A1 Abrams. The Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands. ... The Challenger 2 is the most recent main battle tank in service with the United Kingdom and Oman. ... The Australian Army is Australias military land force. ... The M1 Abrams main battle tank is the principal combat tank of the United States Army. ...

The recent bidding wins for the Leopard 2 (such as Greece selecting the Leopard 2 over the M1 Abrams and the Leclerc) are strong evidence that the Leopard 2 is one of the best selling tanks in the world. Until now, the only combat engagements of the Leopard 2 has been during operations by the KFOR in Kosovo and by Western forces in the War in Afghanistan. The M1 Abrams is a military tank produced in the United States. ... The gunners position, looking down from the turret roof. ... For other uses, see KFOR (disambiguation). ... For other uses of War in Afghanistan, see War in Afghanistan (disambiguation). ...

Variants

Leopard 2

The Leopard 2 proper, sometimes informally called the "A0" to differentiate it from later versions, was the first series manufactured version. The vehicles were manufactured from October 1979 until March 1982, altogether 380 vehicles. 209 were built by Krauss Maffei and 171 by MaK. The basic equipment consisted of electrical-hydraulic WNA-H22, a fire control computer, a laser rangefinder, a wind sensor, a general purpose telescope EMES 15, a panorama periscope PERI R17, the tower sight FERO Z18, on the tower roof as well as a computer controlled tank testing set RPP 1-8. 200 of the vehicles had a low-light enhancer (PZB 200) instead of a thermal imaging. Two chassis served as driver training vehicles. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 735 Ã— 599 pixelsFull resolution (1273 Ã— 1038 pixel, file size: 129 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 735 Ã— 599 pixelsFull resolution (1273 Ã— 1038 pixel, file size: 129 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ...

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.

Leopard 2A2

This designation was given to upgraded vehicles of the first batch of Leopard 2s, brought up to the standard of the second and third batches. This modernisation gradually replaced in the first batch the original PZB 200 sights with thermal sights for the EMES 15 as they became available. Furthermore the upgrade included the fitting of filler openings and caps to the forward hull fuel tanks to allow separate refuelling, as well as the addition of a deflector plate for the periscope and a large coverplate to protect the existing NBC protection system. Finally, the tank was given new five metre towing cables with a different position. The programme began in 1984 and ended in 1987; the third, fourth and fifth batches were during this period produced with the same features. The modernised first batch can be recognised by the circular plate covering the hole where the cross-wind sensor for the fire-control system was removed.^[1]

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.

Leopard 2A4

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 armour. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 Ã— 900 pixel, file size: 271 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 Ã— 900 pixel, file size: 271 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Polish Army (Polish Wojsko Polskie) is the name applied to the military forces of Poland. ... A fire-control system is a computer, often mechanical, which is designed to assist a weapon system in hitting its target. ...

The Leopard 2s were manufactured in eight batches between 1985 and 1992. All the older models were also upgraded to 2A4 standard. Germany operated a total of 2,125 2A4s (695 new built and the rest modified older versions), while the Netherlands had an additional 445 tanks. The 2A4 was also license manufactured in Switzerland as the Pz87. This version included Swiss-built machine guns and communications equipment, and featured improved NBC protection. Switzerland operated 380 Pz87 tanks. Weapons of Mass Destruction is also the name of rapper Xzibits 2004 album. ...

After the end of the Cold War, Germany and the Netherlands found themselves with large stocks of tanks, which they did not have any need for. These tanks were therefore successfully sold to armies around the world. Austria (114), Canada (80), Chile (140), Denmark (51), Finland (124), Greece (183), Norway (52), Poland (128), Singapore (66), Spain (108), Sweden (160), and Turkey (298) were among the buyers of the surplus tanks.

Leopard 2A5

The A5 introduced a wedge-shaped MEXAS (Modular Expandable Armor System) spaced add-on armour to the turret front and sides. Though its main function is to defeat a hollow charge attack, the spaced armour is also designed to affect kinetic-energy penetrators by forcing them to change direction and by eroding them in the process; it does not form a shot-trap since it doesn't deflect the penetrators outwards to hit the hull or turret ring. The gun mantle was redesigned to accept the new armour. There were also some improvements in the main armour composition. Tank interior received spall liners to reduce fragments if the armour 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 armour in previous models. A new heavier sliding driver's hatch was fitted. Turret controls went all-electric, increasing reliability and crew safety, and producing some weight savings. A5 entered service in the German tank battalions in mid-1998. EMES 15 Dayvision EMES 15 is a main sight used in Leopard 2 tanks. ...

The Leopard 2(S) is a Swedish Army variant of the Leopard 2A5, which has received the local designation Strv 122. It is based off of what was then called "Leopard 2 Improved" and features increased armour on the turret top and front hull, and improved command and control and fire control systems. Externally, the vehicle can be distinguished from the Leopard 2 A5 by the French GALIX smoke dispensers, different storage bins, and the much thicker crew hatches.^[2] It's also equipped with a new command system. This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Leopard 2A6

Includes the addition of the 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun (Rheinmetall DeTec AG) and a number of other changes. All German tank battalions of the "crisis intervention forces" are equipped with the A6, as are all Dutch operational units. Canada has also announced its willingness to purchase 40 Leopard 2A6s from the Netherlands. These will be delivered in the fall of 2007.^[3] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 Ã— 960 pixel, file size: 933 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 Ã— 960 pixel, file size: 933 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... The Rheinmetall L55 is a 120 mm calibre smoothbore tank gun designed and produced by the Rheinmetall-DeTec AG company of Germany. ...

The Leopard 2A6M is a version of the 2A6 with enhanced mine protection under the chassis, and a number of internal enhancements to improve crew survivability.^[4] Canada has borrowed 20 A6Ms from Germany for deployment to Afghanistan in late summer 2007. The new tanks all have turret electric drive.

The Leopard 2A6M CAN is a Canadian variant of the Leopard 2A6M. Significant modifications include distinctive black boxes mounted on the rear of the turret bustle, originally expected to be the new air conditioning unit but instead likely contains Canadian Forces designated communications gear (as they lined up with the new antennae stands),^[5] and stand-off slat armour.^[6] The first tanks configured in this variant are the twenty tanks loaned from German Bundeswehr, in an effort to increase firepower and to increase protection given to Canadian troops operating in the south of Afghanistan. The loaner tanks are expected to retain the MG3 machine guns, while the ex-Dutch tanks are expected to retain their FN MAG machine guns due to commonality with existing Canadian stocks.^[7] Due to the loaned status of the first 20 tanks, the air conditioning unit cannot be installed as only minimal changes could be made (crew will wear cooling vests, and the turret's electric drive generates less heat than the hydraulic drive of Canada's older Leopard C2), while the ex-Dutch tanks are expected to receive more extensive modifications.^[5] Cage armor on a M113 APC. Cage armor also known as bar armor, slat armor, and standoff armor is a type of vehicle armor designed to protect from anti tank RPG-7 attacks, however it will not sufficiently protect against dual-warhead designs such as the RPG-27 and RPG...

The Leopard 2 Hel is a derivate of the 2A6, ordered by the Greek Army in 2003. The "Hel" stands for "Hellenic". The 170 tanks are to be delivered between 2006 and 2009. A total of 140 will be built in Greece by ELBO, which delivered the first units in late 2006.^[8] ELBO (standing for â€œElliniki Biomihania Ohimatonâ€, or Hellenic Vehicle Industry), is a Greek vehicle manufacturer. ...

The Leopard 2E is a derivative of the 2A6 (with greater armour 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 Defence 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 the sole property of the Spanish Army, as has been made public on 24 January 2006, then having been paid a total of 15,124,014 euros in ten yearly installments, giving the Spanish coproperty from 2006. 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 chose 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. Image File history File linksMetadata DSCF1154. ... Image File history File linksMetadata DSCF1154. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 Ã— 1920 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 Ã— 600 pixelsFull resolution (2560 Ã— 1920 pixel, file size: 1. ...

Leopard 2 PSO

This new variant Leopard 2 PSO (Peace Support Operations) is designed specially for MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain) which peacekeeping operations have encountered more and more. Therefore the Leopard 2 PSO is equipped with more effective all around protection, combined with a secondary weapons station, improved reconnaissance ability, a dozer, non lethal armament, close range surveillance ability (through camera systems), a searchlight and further changes to improve its perseverance and mobility.

Leopard 2 140mm

As the 1990s began, Rheinmetall began developing a 140mm smoothbore cannon as a future tank cannon. This was intended to counter new developments in Soviet-bloc armoured fighting vehicles, most especially persistent rumours that the next-generation Soviet main battle tank would be armed with either a 135mm or 152mm cannon. This program was contemplated as the third stage in the KWS program of modernizing Leopard 2 tanks. KWS I was the replacement of the L/44 120mm cannon with the 55-calibre model, KWS II was a modernization program that became the Leopard 2A5 (q.q.v.), and KWS III would have replaced the main armament with the new 140mm cannon. The KWS III was not adopted then, but development continued on the 140mm weapon system, with Rheinmetall coordinating with Royal Ordnance from the UK and GIAT from France. For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defense company with factories in DÃ¼sseldorf, Kassel and UnterlÃ¼ÃŸ. It has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces. ... Not to be confused with the Warsaw Convention, which is an agreement about airlines financial liability and the Treaty of Warsaw (1970) between West Germany and the Peoples Republic of Poland. ... Soviet redirects here. ... The US M1A1 Abrams tank is a typical modern main battle tank. ... An M1 Abrams tank firing the Rheinmetall L44 fitted with a hoffman device. ... The Rheinmetall L55 is a 120 mm calibre smoothbore tank gun designed and produced by the Rheinmetall-DeTec AG company of Germany. ... 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 1 as the foremost MBT in the Bundeswehr. ... Rheinmetall AG is a German automotive and defense company with factories in DÃ¼sseldorf, Kassel and UnterlÃ¼ÃŸ. It has a long tradition of making guns and artillery pieces. ... Royal Ordnance was the state-run arms manufacturer in the United Kingdom which was privatised in 1984 and sold off by the government to British Aerospace (BAe) in 1987. ... GIAT Industries (formerly known as Groupement des Industries de lArmÃ©e de Terre, Group of the Industries of the ground Army) is a French government-owned weapon manufacturer. ...

Engineering and driver training tanks

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 877 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Leopard 2 ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 877 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Leopard 2 ... The German Army (German: [1], [IPA: heÉ] ) is the land component of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence Forces) of the Federal Republic of Germany. ... Image File history File links Pionierpanzer-kodiak. ... Image File history File links Pionierpanzer-kodiak. ... Image File history File links Leopard2trainer. ... Image File history File links Leopard2trainer. ... Conqueror Armoured Recovery Vehicle 2 An armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to repair battle-damaged or broken-down armoured vehicles during combat, or to tow them off the battlefield for more extensive repairs. ... A Caterpillar D10N bulldozer at work A bulldozer is a very powerful crawler (caterpillar tracked tractor) equipped with a blade. ... A modern crawler type derrick crane with outriggers. ... Modern self-tailing winch on a sailing boat. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... A grenade launcher is weapon that fires or launches a grenade to longer distances than a soldier could throw by hand. ... Weapons of Mass Destruction is also the name of rapper Xzibits 2004 album. ... This article is about the fuel. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy - Queen Beatrix - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War - Declared July 26, 1581 - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... MAN AG (German: Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-NÃ¼rnberg AG, ISIN: DE0005937007) is a German transportation company. ... An armoured vehicle-launched bridge (or AVLB) is a combat support vehicle, sometimes regarded as a subtype of combat engineering vehicle, designed to assist militaries in rapidly deploying tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles across rivers. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy - Queen Beatrix - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War - Declared July 26, 1581 - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... The EBG combat engineering vehicle, based on the AMX 30 tank, is used by the engineers of the French Army for a variety of missions. ... A Caterpillar D10N bulldozer at work A bulldozer is a very powerful crawler (caterpillar tracked tractor) equipped with a blade. ... A tracked excavator by Daewoo. ... A Swiss army exercise near Glarus, Switzerland. ...

Operators

Image File history File links Flag_of_Austria. ... The name of the Military of Austria is Bundesheer (Federal Army). Between 1918 and 1921, the Austrian semi-regular army was called Volkswehr (Peoples Defence), and fought against Yugoslavian army units occupying parts of Carinthia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Chiles armed forces are subject to civilian control exercised by the president through the Minister of Defense. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Canadian Forces (CF) (French: Forces canadiennes (FC)) are the unified armed forces of Canada, governed by the National Defence Act, which states: The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces. ... Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. ... is the 214th day of the year (215th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... The Antonov An-124 Ruslan (NATO reporting name: Condor) is the largest aircraft ever mass produced, and was, until the advent of the An-225 Mryia, the largest aircraft in production. ... Mercedes Benz Actros The Mercedes-Benz Actros is a heavy duty truck introduced by Mercedes-Benz in 1997. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Denmark. ... The armed forces of the Kingdom of Denmark, known as The Danish Defence (Danish: Det Danske Forsvar) is charged with the defense of the Kingdom of Denmark. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Finland. ... The Finnish Defence Forces (Finnish Puolustusvoimat; Swedish FÃ¶rsvarsmakten) is a cadre army of 16500, of which 8700 professional soldiers (officers), with a standard readiness strength of 34,700 people in uniform (27,300 army, 3,000 navy, and 4,400 air force). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... The German Army (German: [1], [IPA: heÉ] ) is the land component of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defence Forces) of the Federal Republic of Germany. ... The Bundeswehr (German for Federal Defence Force; ) is the name of the unified armed forces of Germany. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Greece. ... This article is about the land force of the modern nation of Greece. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... The Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway. ... Ranks Norwegian military ranks The Norwegian Army (Norwegian: HÃ¦ren) is Norways military land force. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Poland. ... Flag of the Land Forces of Poland Land Forces of Poland (Wojska Lądowe RP) is a branch of Polands armed forces. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Portugal. ... Portuguese Army troops heading for Angola, during World War I. Portuguese Army troops in the jungle, during the 1960s and 1970s Colonial Wars in Africa. ... The Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) is the land forces element of the military of the Netherlands. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Singapore. ... The Singapore Army (Chinese: æ–°åŠ å¡é™†å†›éƒ¨é˜Ÿ, Malay: Tentera Singapura) is the land force and one of the three services of the Singapore Armed Forces. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... The Spanish Army (EjÃ©rcito de Tierra in Spanish; literally, Land Army) is one of oldest active armies in the world and a branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, in charge of land operations. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Sweden. ... The Swedish Armed Forces, or FÃ¶rsvarsmakten, is a Government agency responsible for the peacetime operation of the armed forces of Sweden. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Switzerland. ... A Swiss army exercise near Glarus, Switzerland. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Turkey. ... The Turkish Army (Turkish: TÃ¼rk Kara Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. ...

References

^ Jerchel, Michael; Schnellbacher, Uwe (1998). Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank 1979-1998. New York, United States of America: Osprey, pp. 17-18. ISBN 0-85532-691-4.
^ Swedish Defence Materiel Administration: Leopard 2 - Stridsvagn 122 (Swedish)
^ [1]
^ ^a ^b Foss, Christopher F. "Canada receives first upgraded Leopard 2A6M MBT", Janes Defence Weekly, vol 44, no 32, p 10. August 8, 2007.
^ ^a ^b ^c The First of Twenty Loaned Leopard 2A6M CAN Arrive in Kandahar: A Glimpse of the CF's Future (With a Little Help From Our Friends). Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
^ CASR Background — CF Leased & Purchased Leopard 2 A6M / 2 A4 Tanks. Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
^ CASR Background — Leopard 2 A6M / 2 A4 Tanks for the Canadian Forces?. Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
^ Leopard 2 HEL images and info. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ Chile gets 140 leopards II. Retrieved on 2007-11-14.
^ Backgrounder: Renewing the Canadian Forces' Tank Capability
^ KMW delivers first LEOPARD 2 A6M to Canada.
^ Financial Report of the Danish Defense Ministry (Danish). Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ Bundeswehrplan 2008 (German). Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ Jornal de Notícias - Portugal acerta compra de 37 tanques Leopard para o Exército à Holanda.
^ DefenseNews.com: Singapore to buy refurbished Leopard tanks from Germany. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 220th day of the year (221st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

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