Leopard 2 MBT

[Ayoshi]

From military.today.com

Leopard 2

Development of the Leopard 2 main battle tank began in 1970. In those days a clash between NATO and the Warsaw Pact was possible and the German Army needed a well protected MBT, which was superior to the models introduced in the Eastern Block. The first prototypes of the Leopard 2 were completed in 1972. In 1977 Bundeswehr initially ordered 1 800 of these main battle tanks to replace the Leopard 1. First production batch of 30 tanks was completed in 1979 and the Leopard 2 was adopted by the German Army the same year. At the time of its introduction the Leopard 2 was a very advanced and successful design. 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.

   This MBT has a welded hull and turret. Composite armor of the Leopard 2 tank is similar to British Chobham. It offers good protection against armor-piercing rounds and ATGWs. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection system and automatic fire suppression systems.

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Variants:
 
   Leopard 2A1, has improved armor protection. A number of components were improved in order to make them more reliable;
   Leopard 2A2, fitted with improved sights;
   Leopard 2A3, fitted with improved communications equipment and improved parking brake;
   Leopard 2A4, fitted with new digital fire control system and improved turret with more armor. It was the most widespread version of this tank. Its production commenced in 1985 and ceased in 1992. All the previous models were upgraded to this standard. It was produced in Switzerland under license as the Pz 87;

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

   Leopard 2A7 a proposed upgrade package for existing MBTs, which includes additional armor, additional cameras for long-range surveillance, advanced command and control equipment and some other improvements. Bundeswehr plans to upgrade about 50 - 150 Leopard tanks to the 2A7 standard.

   Leopard 2 PSO, a version optimized for urban and peacekeeping operations. It was developed as a private venture. This MBT has increased protection against IEDs and RPGs;
   PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzer;
   Buffel armored recovery vehicle;
   Kodiak engineering vehicle;
   PBS 2 armored bridgelayer;
   crew training vehicle.

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The Leopard 2 main battle tank entered service with the German Army in 1979

Leopard 2 Next Generation

The Leopard 2 Next Generation (NG) upgrade package for Leopard 2 main battle tanks was developed by Aselsan of Turkey as a private venture. It was first revealed in 2011. Sometimes it is referred as the Leopard 2T. It could meet a potential Turkish Army requirement to upgrade its fleet of over 300 ex-German Leopard 2A4 MBTs until the locally-developed Altay MBT becomes available. The Next Generation upgrade package is also proposed for other operators of the Leopard 2 main battle tanks. This tank is still used by a number of countries in large numbers. So the market for upgrades remains substantial. The Leopard 2 NG is broadly similar to the Rheinmetall Revolution MBT upgrade package, which was revealed earlier in 2010.

   The key areas of improvement in the Leopard 2NG upgrade include new fire control system, upgraded optics and improved protection. The Aselsan claims that upgraded main battle tanks are superior to the German Leopard 2A6 MBTs.

The Leopard 2NG main battle tank upgrade package was developed in Turkey

[Ayoshi]

Indonesia Receives First Batch of New German-made Main Battle Tanks | The Diplomat - May 24, 2016

The Indonesian Army (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat, TNI-AD) has taken delivery of the first eight of 61 Leopard 2A4 third-generation main battle tanks (MBT), according to executives of German defense contractor Rheinmetall, who recently spoke to IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly during a company symposium on land forces.

Rheinmetall is currently in the process of upgrading 61 Leopard 2 MBTs to the so-called Revolution standard, an urban warfare upgrade package that requires a number of specific modifications requested by the Indonesian military to make the tank more suitable for urban combat.

Overall, the TNI-AD had ordered 103 used Leopard 2A4, designated Leopard 2 RI (Republic of Indonesia) specifically outfitted with bustle-mounted air conditioning systems to suit Indonesia’s Indonesia’s tropical climate.

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Rheinmetall to upgrade 128 Polish Leopard 2 main battle tanks | rheinmetall.com - 22 Feb 2016

Rheinmetall has booked another major modernization order for heavy tanks.

Poland has just awarded the Düsseldorf-based Group a contract for overhauling 128 Leopard 2 MBTs.

In cooperation with Poland’s Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and ZM Bumar-Łabędy S.A., Rheinmetall will serve as a strategic partner, supplying crucial key capabilities, including electronics and weapon technology. The project represents roughly €220 million in sales volume for Rheinmetall.

During the course of modernization, the 128 Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks purchased in 2002 by the Polish Army from surplus Bundeswehr stocks will be upgraded to Leopard 2 PL standard, which corresponds to the German Leopard 2 A5 and A6.

Following Canada and Indonesia, Poland is now the third Leopard user nation to turn to Rheinmetall as the technology partner of choice for a major modernization programme. Besides the Bundeswehr, the armed forces of 17 countries now have Leopard 2 tanks in their inventories.

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Germany: Modernization of the Leopard Tanks To Begin in 2017? Ministry of Defence Rejects The Rumors Present Within The Media | defence24 - 06 June 2016

The Germans are planning to upgrade the Leopard 2A4 tanks that remain in storage up to the 2A7 variant, and then to introduce them into the Bundeswehr’s inventory, so that the Army would have 320, instead of 225 tanks at its disposal. In his statement provided for Defence24.pl, spokesman for the German Ministry of Defence claims the following: „The planned purchase and upgrade of additional Main Battle Tanks (MBT) is sufficiently funded.”  In this way, the Ministry referred to the media reports, issued e.g. by the “Bild” newspaper, suggesting that no funds would be available in the 2017 budget, regarding the potential modernization and procurement of the tanks that would be required to fully equip the Bundeswehr’s units.

At the moment, industrial negotiation is underway, while modernization of the additional Leopard tanks shall begin in 2017 or 2018.

The Germans had decided to procure around 100 additional Leopard 2A4 tanks from the defence industry companies. These tanks had been withdrawn from active use in April 2015. Some of the aforementioned platforms, probably most of them, will be upgraded up to the 2A7 standard, while the remaining ones may be used as a chassis for the support vehicles (technical support or engineering platforms).

Image Credit: Heer/Marco Dorow
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Image Credit: Heer/Katharina Winkler

[Ayoshi]

Singapore details ongoing upgrades to Leopard 2SG MBTs | IHS Jane's 360 - 19 June 2017

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is continuing to improve the combat effectiveness of its fleet of ex-Bundeswehr Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) with new capabilities, with the most recent addition revealed to be a commander's panoramic sighting system.

At least two upgraded Leopard 2A4 MBTs - which are operated by the Singapore Army under the designation of Leopard 2SG - featuring the new system, called the Commander's Open Architecture Panoramic Sight (COAPS) were exhibited in public at the Army Open House 2017 (AOH 2017) event from 27-29 May.

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According to Elbit's specifications, COAPS is a modular dual-axis stabilised sight aimed specifically at armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) and MBT applications. Based on an open architecture design, it can be configured with different sensors, including 3-5 µm or 8-12 µm thermal imagers, day and night charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, and eye-safe laser rangefinders, to suit mission requirements.

An unspecified number of the Singapore Army's Leopard 2SG MBTs have received a new sighting system for the vehicle commander. At least two upgraded examples were shown at the Army Open House 2017 exhibition in May. Source: IHS Markit/Kelvin Wong

[Ayoshi]

Bundeswehr orders additional DM11 rounds for Leopard 2 | IHS Jane's 360 - 13 July 2017

Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has ordered additional 120 x 570 mm DM11 programmable high-explosive ammunition from Rheinmetall Waffe und Munition.

The EUR45-million (USD51.3 million) contract, signed on 11 July, is for two batches of 2,500 rounds each, to be delivered between the end of 2017 and end of 2018. The Bundeswehr procured the first batch of 2,500 DM11 rounds at the end of 2013.

The Bundeswehr has ordered two further batches of 2,500 DM11 rounds each. (Rheinmetall Waffe und Munition)

[Ayoshi]

Over half of Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 MBTs are not operationally ready | IHS Jane's 360 - 17 November 2017

German media reported on 16 November that only 95 of the 244 Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) in service with the Bundeswehr are operationally ready. A further 53 vehicles – thought to be Leopard 2A6Ms – are being converted to the new Leopard 2A6M+ standard, and 86 are in a state of disrepair without any spare parts. The German report states that “the unavailability of the required replacement parts would be detrimental”.

Only 95 of the 244 Leopard 2 MBTs in service with the Bundeswehr are operationally ready, according to German media. (Rheinmetall)

[Ayoshi]

Saab receives order for Mobile Camouflage Systems for German Leopard 2 A7V MBT | Army Recognition - 19 December 2017

Defence and security company Saab has received an order from the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH (KMW) for deliveries of Mobile Camouflage Systems (MCS). Deliveries will take place during the period 2018-2022.

The Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) is a flexible solution providing multispectral protection for vehicles when moving or when in a static position. The MCS ordered by KMW, will equip the German Armed Forces new Leopard 2 A7V, the latest version of the Leopard 2 A7, developed and manufactured by KMW. The camouflage systems ordered by KMW will come in woodland configuration.

The MCS ordered by KMW, will equip the German Armed Forces new Leopard 2 A7V, the latest version of the Leopard 2 A7, developed and manufactured by KMW (Credit SAAB)

[Ayoshi]

From: War is Boring

However, in mid-January 2018, Turkey launched an offensive against the Kurdish enclaves of Afrin and Manbij in northwestern Syria. The attack was precipitated generally by Turkish fears that effective Kurdish control of the Syrian border would lead to a de facto state that would expand into Turkish territory, and proximately by an announcement by the Pentagon that it was recruiting the Kurds to form a “border security force” to continue the fight against Islamic State.

Photos on social media soon emerged showing that Leopard 2 tanks were being employed to blast Kurdish positions in Afrin, where there have several dozen civilian casualties have been reported. Furthermore, on Jan. 21, the Kurdish YPG published a YouTube video showing a Konkurs anti-tank missile striking a Turkish Leopard 2.

It is not possible to tell if the tank was knocked out; the missile may have struck the Leopard 2’s front armor, which is rated as equivalent to 590 to 690 millimeters of rolled homogenous armor on the 2A4, while the two types of Konkurs missiles can penetrate 600 or 800 millimeters of RHA.

In any event, parliamentarians both from German left-wing parties and Merkel’s conservative Christian Democratic Union reacted with outrage, with a member of the latter describing the Turkish offensive as a violation of international law. On Jan. 25, the Merkel administration was forced to announce that an upgrade to the Leopard 2 was off the table, at least for now.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84Xg87AY2po

[Ayoshi]

Update: Singapore denies Leopard 2A7 acquisition, but questions remain over anomalies | Janes - 21 March 2018

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has refuted speculation that the country has acquired the A7 variant of the German-built Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Leopard 2 main battle tank (MBT) that stemmed from a recent entry in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI’s) Arms Transfer Database.

According to SIPRI’s data – which the institute says is drawn from a range of sources, including the UN Register of Conventional Arms (ROCA), national reports on arms exports and imports, as well as official defence budget documents and parliamentary records – Singapore has acquired 12 Leopard 2A7 MBTs that were delivered in the 2016–17 timeframe.

The institute also recorded that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) received a total of 182 ex-Bundeswehr Leopard 2A4 MBTs in the 2007–12 timeframe, with a number of these used as spares and training. Meanwhile, the UN ROCA database has also shown that Germany reported a transfer of 168 MBTs to Singapore.

However, only 96 Leopard 2A4 MBTs were ever declared to have been ordered by Singapore in a December 2006 announcement by MINDEF. The first batch of six MBTs was transferred in June 2008 and deliveries are understood to have been completed by mid-2010.

Refurbished ex-German Army Leopard 2A4 MBTs, designated Leopard 2SG MBTs in Singapore Army service, now constitute a significant proportion of the service’s offensive punch. Source: IHS Markit/Kelvin Wong

[Ayoshi]

Dutch-German tank battalion receives first Leopard 2A6MA2 | Janes - 31 May 2018

The German Army's Panzerbataillon (Armour Battalion) 414, which includes a Dutch tank company, received its first Leopard 2A6MA2 recently, the Bundeswehr announced on 25 May. The remaining 16 main battle tanks are scheduled to be delivered to the battalion in Lohheide, northern Germany, by the end of June, the Bundeswehr added.

Panzerbataillon 414, which the German and Dutch armies began forming in 2015, comes under the command of the Royal Netherlands Army's 43 Mechanised Brigade, which is in turn part of the German 1st Panzer Division.

The first of a total of 17 Leopard 2A6MA2s has been delivered to Panzerbataillon 414. Source: Bundeswehr

[Ayoshi]

Norway cancels tank upgrade | Janes - 22 June 2018

Plans to upgrade the Norwegian Army’s Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks (MBTs) have been abandoned following the publication of the government’s revised budget in May, the Norwegian MoD has confirmed.

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A reduced MBT capability will be retained until 2025, when a new tank or an interim solution will be introduced. Only 30 of the 52 tanks in the Norwegian Army inventory are operational.

Upgrade proposals to adopt Germany’s Leopard 2A7V or a development of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle were rejected. The MoD said its reasons were that modernising the MBTs “would not provide sufficiently capable tanks to meet developments in the threat of modern weapons and ammunition types”.

[Ayoshi]

https://www.janes.com/article/85348/hungary-orders-leopard-2-mbts-and-pzh-2000-sphs

According to Germany’s Die Welt daily, Hungary is buying the latest version of the MBT, the Leopard 2A7 as well as 12 second-hand Leopard 2A4s for training purposes, although Hungarian MoD sources did not confirm the latter.

[Ayoshi]

https://www.janes.com/article/89806/eda-to-launch-four-country-talks-on-leopard-2-upgrade-and-procurement-after-industry-feedback

EDA to launch four-country talks on Leopard 2 upgrade and procurement after industry feedback
10 July 2019

The European Defence Agency (EDA) awaits a last round of market feedback from industry before launching final consultations with member states Cyprus, Greece, Romania, and Spain to launch a programme in 2020 to modernise or procure Leopard 2 main battle tank (MBT) fleets. The effort will aim at upgrading to Leopard 2A7 equivalents or acquiring them, according to the agency.

The EDA is preparing to launch a programme in 2020 for four member states to upgrade or procure Leopard 2A7 equivalents (photo of Greek Leopard 2HEL that will be modernised). (Hellenic Army)

[Ayoshi]

https://www.janes.com/article/90774/top-cat-leopard-2-main-battle-tank-turns-40

Top cat: Leopard 2 main battle tank turns 40
30 August 2019

On 24 October 1979 the first production Leopard 2, hull number Y-377 046, was handed over to the Bundeswehr’s Panzertruppenschule. Forty years, 3,565 vehicles in over 95 distinct variants, and more than 21 users later, the Leopard 2 stands as one of the most successful MBT designs in the world. Jon Hawkes explores the vehicle’s evolution

[Ayoshi]

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/mspo2019-modernised-leopard-2pl-makes-european-deb/

MSPO2019: Modernised Leopard 2PL makes European debut
9th September 2019 - 11:24 GMT

Polish manufacturer ZM Bumar-Labedy, a member of the PGZ holding, displayed the first production model of its modernised Leopard 2PL MBT at MSPO, with several modifications of the 2A4 variant.

According to the designer, upgrades to the 2PL standard vehicle include: implementation of more efficient sights, such as third generation camera systems, additional ballistic protection modules on the turret, installation of a digital stabilisation system, modernised fire extinguishing and suppression systems and a new auxiliary power unit.

A new turret-located storage compartment for the crew is also part of the upgrade package, alongside modernisation of the main gun system, adapted for the use of new types of ammunition (DM63 antitank and DM11 multipurpose) fire and new day-night driver cameras. The vehicle also features a new fire control system.

[Ayoshi]

https://www.janes.com/article/94173/royal-danish-army-receives-first-upgraded-leopard-2s

Royal Danish Army receives first upgraded Leopard 2s
07 February 2020


The Royal Danish Army has received its first Leopard 2A7 MBT. (Forsvaret)