Leopard 2

   Development of the Leopard 2 main battle tank began in 1970. First production batch of 30 tanks was completed in 1979 and the Leopard 2 entered service with German army the same year. Initially Bundeswehr ordered 1 800 of these main battle tanks to replace the Leopard 1. By 1993 German army operated a total of 2 155 of these MBTs. This vehicle was also exported worldwide. Export operators are Netherlands (445 tanks), Switzerland (380 tanks, known as the Pz.87), Sweden (160), Spain (650) and some other countries.

   Fire control system, armament, ammunition, transmission and tracks of the Leopard 2 are similar to the US M1 Abrams main battle tank, to simplify maintenance.

   Armor of the Leopard 2 tank is similar to British Chobham. It offers decent protection against armor-piercing rounds and ATGWs. Vehicle is fitted with an NBC protection system.

   The Leopard 2 main battle tank is fitted with a fully-stabilized Rheinmetall RH-M-120 120-mm smoothbore gun. Vehicle carried 42 rounds for the main gun. Some of them are stored in the turret bustle, while the rest are carried in front of the hull.

   Secondary armament consists of two 7.62-mm machine guns. One of them is coaxial, while another is mounted on top of the roof.

   The Leopard-2 has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.

   Vehicle is powered by MB-837 Ka501 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 500 horsepower. The Leopard 2 can be fitted with a deep wading kit.

Variants

   Leopard 2A1 features improved armor and a number of components for better reliability;

   Leopard 2A2 was fitted improved sights;

   Leopard 2A3 was fitted with improved communication equipment and improved parking brake;

   Leopard 2A4 has new fire control system;

   Leopard 2A5 and Leopard 2A6 are radically improved versions;

   PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzer;

   Bueffel armored recovery vehicle;

   Kodiak engineering vehicle;

   crew training vehicle.