Leopard 2

Leopard 2A7A1

### Armour

2A6: 3rd generation composite, including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component

### Main armament

A0-A5: Rheinmetall L/44 120mm smoothbore gun (42 rounds)A6-A7: Rheinmetall L/55 120mm smoothbore gun (42 rounds)

### Secondary armament

A0-A6: 2x MG3 7.62mm machine guns (1x coaxial, 1x pintle-mounted)A7: MG3 or MG5 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, M2HB-QCB 12.7mm RWS-mounted machine gun

### Engine

MTU MB 873 Ka-501 liquid-cooled V12 twin-turbo diesel engine1,500 PS (1,103 kW) at 2,600 rpm

### Speed

68 km/h

The Leopard 2 is a third-generation main battle tank used by the Imperial Army. It is the successor to the Leopard 1.

## Variants

### Main variants

**Leopard 2:** Original production version. Also referred to as 2A0. Manufactured from October 1979 to March 1982.

**Leopard 2A1:** Minor modifications and installation of gunner's thermal sight. Manufactured from March 1982 to November 1984.

**Leopard 2A2:** Original Leopard 2 upgraded to 2A1 standard.

**Leopard 2A3:** Added SEM80/90 digital radio sets and ammunition reloading hatches welded shut. Delivered between December 1984 and December 1985.

**Leopard 2A4:** More substantial changes, including an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system able to handle new ammunition types, and an improved turret with flat titanium/tungsten armour. Manufactured between 1985 and 1992. All older models upgraded to this standard.

**Leopard 2A5:** Introduced a wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour to the turret front and roof and the frontal area of the hull. The interior received spall liners to reduce fragments if the armour is penetrated. The frontal "heavy" third of the side skirts was replaced with a stronger type. The commander's sight was moved to a new position behind the 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 heavier sliding driver's hatch was fitted. Turret controls went all-electric, increasing reliability and crew safety, as well as weight savings. The gun braking system was improved to prepare for the later mounting of the new L/55 gun tube and to enable firing of more powerful ammunition, such as the DM-53 APFSDS. Entered service in December 1995.

**Leopard 2A6:** Addition of the Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun and other changes. Entered service in 2001.

**Leopard 2A6M:** Enhanced mine protection under the chassis and internal enhancements to improve crew survivability. Introduced in 2007.

**Leopard 2A7:** Further upgrade of 2A6M. Includes a new crew-compartment cooling-system, a new 20 kW auxiliary power unit based on the Steyr Motors M12 TCA UI engine, the Saab Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) with Heat-Transfer Reduction (HTR CoolCam) system, a field trial proven combat management and information system (IFIS) onboard network optimization with ultracapacitors in the chassis and turret, a SOTAS IP digital intercom system, a renewal of the fire suppression system in the crew compartment, and the retrofitting of Attica thermal imaging module in the commander optics. The weapon system is adapted for firing programmable HE ammunition and the turret-mounted GPMG has been replaced with a stabilised remotely controlled weapon station. The tank's protection has been increased by modular armour; the frontal protection has been improved with a dual-kit on the turret and hull front. It is also fitted for, but not with, additional passive side protection armour. Entered service in late 2014.

**Leopard 2A7A1:** Upgrade of 2A7 with Trophy hard-kill active protection system. Introduced in 2022.

**Leopard 2A8:** Further development of 2A7A1 with increased armour protection, improved fire control system and battlefield management system, new situational awareness system, more powerful 1,600 hp engine and 20 kW APU. Introduced in 2025.

### Derivatives

**Büffel:** Armoured recovery vehicle. Includes both a bulldozer and a crane with integral winch, allowing it to approach damaged vehicles, even over rough and fought-over terrain, and tow them to safety. It is equipped with a machine gun for local self-defence, a smoke grenade launcher, and NBC protection.

**Leguan:** Armoured vehicle-launched bridge based on Leopard 2 chassis.

**Kodiak:** Armoured engineering vehicle. Equipped with a bulldozer, excavator, and dual capstan winches.

## Gallery

Leopard 2A4Leopard 2A5Leopard 2A6Leopard 2A7Büffel (Buffalo) ARVKodiakLeguan