The continuous evolution of the Leopard 2 assures that it will keep on setting new standards as the world best MBT until well into the future.ĭuring the mid-80's, NATO specified three standard colors to be used on all of its vehicles: green, brown, and black. As the first Leopard 2 family vehicle, the Armoured Recovery Vehicle "Buffalo" which is already in use in Germany and the Netherlands, has been developed. Germany steadily developed the improved firepower, 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun equipped Leopard 2 A6. Improvements to the leopard 2 A5's possessed by Sweden and the Netherlands also continued. In December of that year the Leopard 2 A5 were deployed to Armour School and the Tank Battalions 33, 214 and 393. The delivery of the first Leopard 2 A5 (KWS II) started in autumn of 1995 and the first leopard 2 A5 for the German Army were officially handed over in November 1995. The hydraulic gun control and stabilization systems were replaced by electrical ones, and the new commander's panoramic periscope PERI-R17A2/TIM incorporates an independent thermal significant enhancing the night fighting capability of the tank. To minimize damage from shrapnel inside the turret a spall liner was also instabilized. The front and sides of the turret were fitted with easily replaceable, wedge-shaped add-on armour. The major changes to the chassis included a sliding driver's hatch and a rear view CCD camera mounted at the rear of the chassis, enabling movement in reverse at high speeds. Krauss-Maffei and MaK oversaw improvements to the chassis of the 2A5, while Wegmann & Co. The improved version was officially designated the 2A5 type. In December of 1993, the upgrade of 225 tanks of the 2A4 type was decided. After the deliverations between Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, the KWS II proposal was adopted. KWS I was intended to mount the tank with a L/55 120mm smoothbore gun KWS II was suggested upgrade the protection, the fire control system and the ease of operation. In 1991, with the easing of the tension between East and West Germany and their subsequent reunification, an improvement program was initiated and divided into two stages: KWS I and KWS II. In the late 1980's, the Leopard 2 underwent further improvements in efforts to make it the world's finest battle tank into the future. Later, the 2A1 type Leopard 2 was equipped with an integrated thermal imager to the commander's sighting equipment the 2A3 type featured an updated radio system the 2A4 type featured a newly designed fire suppression system and a new shape to its armored skirting. In the meantime, Sweden, Spain, Austria and Denmark have acquired the Leopard 2 as their main battle tank. During the production for Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland decided to equip their armies with the leopard 2. In 1979 the first Leopard 2 was delivered to the German Army as the beginning of a series production of more than 2000 tans. It was mounted with a Rhienmetall 120mm L/44 smoothbore main gun, and powered by a 1500 PS outputting MTU MB873Ka-501 engine. Compound armor was generously added and the turret was redesigned with much angularity. Due to the threat of the cold war times of the early 70's a program for a new main battle tank was started together with the United States and named tank 70 program and wholly improve the Leopard 1. Development of the Leopard 2 started in 1970. The Leopard 1 MBT was the first tank of a family of armoured vehicles such as: Self-Propelled-Anti-Aircraft-Gun "Gepard", Armoured Recovery Vehicle, Armoured Engineer Vehicle and Bridge Laying Vehicle.Īfter combat effectiveness improvement programs the Leopard 1 A5 is still the backbone of 11 armies land forces on three continents.
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