After the joint U.S.-German MBT-70 tank project fell to naught, the Germans took to an indigenous Main Battle Tank design that became the 'Leopard 2'. One of the most powerful combat tanks in the world today, the Leopard 2 is an evolution of Germany's first post-World War2-era tank, the earlier Leopard 1. The successor offers increased performance, firepower, and protection making it hugely popular on the world stage as it counts some eighteen operators to its name. Production of the series has reached 3,600 units and the proven Leopard 2 remains the spearhead of many fighting forces around the globe. The Leopard 2A6 is the major in-service mark seen today.
4 CREW
Speed
42 MPH
Range
249 MILES
Mission Roles
FRONTLINE
TANK-VS-TANK
ANTI-AIRCRAFT
ENGINEERING
TRAINING
Gallery
1 / 5
Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
2 / 5
Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
3 / 5
Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
5 / 5
Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
(List includes former, current, and potential operating nations)
2A6: 1 x MTU MB 873 Ka-501 V-12 liquid-cooled twin-turbo diesel-fueled engine developing 1,500 horsepower at 2,600rpm driving a conventional track-and-wheel arrangement.
(Assuming optimal operating conditions)
Road Speed 42 mph | 68 kph | 37 kts
Range 249 miles | 400 km | 216 nm
(Showcased performance statistics pertain to the 2A6 production model)
Length 32.71 feet (9.97 meters)
Width 12.30 feet (3.75 meters)
Height 9.84 feet (3.00 meters)
(Showcased measurements pertain to the 2A6 production model)
Standard 137,399 lb
(62,323 kg; 68.7 tons)
(Showcased weights pertain to the 2A6 production model)
STANDARD:
1 x 120mm Rheinmetall L/55 smoothbore main gun in turret face.
1 x 7.62mm MG3A1 machine gun in coaxial mounting in turret face.
16 x Smoke Grenade Dischargers in twin backs of four launchers to either side of the turret.
OPTIONAL:
1 x 7.62mm MG3A1 machine gun on trainable mounting on turret roof OR Remote Weapon Station (RWS) similarly-armed.
AMMUNITION:
42 x 120mm projectile.
4,750 x 7.62mm ammunition.
16 x Smoke Grenades.
Tank Gun
Medium Machine Gun(s)
Smoke Generator
Leopard 2 ('2A0') - Base Series Designation; initial production version of 1979; 380 units produced between Krauss-Maffei and MaK.
Leopard 2 PT15 - Developmental model with 105mm smoothbore main gun.
Leopard 2A1 - Revised 2A0 models; thermal sight at gunner's position; model of 1982.
Leopard 2A2 - Upgraded Leopard 2s.
Leopard 2A3 - Model of 1984 with minor revisions; SEM80/90 series digital communications equipment; reloading hatch permanently sealed; 300 units completed.
Leopard 2A4 - Automatic fire suppression system; digital Fire Control System (FCS); upgraded armor protection.
Leopard 2 'Marksman' - SPAAG with Marksman turret set upon Leopard 2A4 chassis.
Leopard 2 'IMP' - Proposed improved Leopard 2 with revised armor panels for increased ballistics effectiveness.
Leopard 2A5 - Based in the Leopard 2 IMP; model of 1995; enhanced armor protection over 2A4 mark; all-electric turret control; relocated gunner's sight to turret roof line; relocated commander's position; increased side skirt armor protection; new driver's hatch; reduced operating weight.
Leopard 2-140 - Proposed model of 1990s fitting smoothbore 140mm main gun with autoloader; reduced operating crew to three personnel; project cancelled.
Leopard 2A6 - Introduction of 120mm L/55 Rheinmetall main gun; enhanced mine protection; improved crew survivability; air conditioning optional.
Leopard 2E - Variant of 2A6 with enhanced armor protection; joint production between Germany and Spain.
Leopard 2 PSO ('Peace Support Operations') - Urban Warfare development for peacekeeping initiatives in contested zones; enhanced protection for urban fighting; dozer blade-equipped; reduced-length main gun tube; camera-equipped for situational awareness; searchlight-equipped.
Leopard 2A7 - Model of 2014; 20kW APU; 'Barracuda' Mobile Camouflage System (MCS); new Combat Management & Information System (CMIS); SOTAS IP digital intercom; optional passive side armor.
Leopard 2A7+ - Model of 2010; modular armor; increased protection; programmable main gun ammunition; optional Remote-Weapon Stattion on turret roof (replacing M3 MG); increased situational awareness for urban fighting environments.
Leopard 2R - Heavy-class mine breaching vehicle by Patria of Finland; based in the 2A4 production model; dozer- and mine-plough-equipped; automatic marking system.
Leopard 2L - Armored Bridge-laying vehicle by KmW/Patria for Finnish Army use; supporting LEGUAN vehicle-launched bridge series.
WISENT 2 - Armored Support Vehicle (ASV) by Flensburger Fahrzeugbau; modular design for quick conversion to ARV or AEV forms.
Bergepanzer BPz3 Buffel (Gr.Buffalo) - Joint German-Dutch Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV); sans turret component; dozer-equipped with powered crane and winch; fitted with 1,500hp diesel engine.
Panzerschnellbrucke 2 - Bridge-layer vehicle; sans turret component.
Panzerschnellbrucke 'LEGUAN' - Bridge-layer vehicle (LEGUAN bridge); sans turret component.
Pionierpanzer 3 'Kodiak' - Combat Engineering Vehicle (CEV) variant; dozer, excavator, and dual-winch-equipped; sans turret component.
Fahrschulpanzer - Leopard 2 tank driver variant; sans turret component; fixed windowed cab for instructor.
Panzer 87 'Leopard' (Pz 87) - Swiss Army variant based in the Leopard 2A4 production model.
Stridsvagn 122 - Swedish Army variant based in the Leopard 2A5 production model; increased armor protection at hull and turret; improved FCS and communications; GALIX smoke dischargers; increased weight by 770lb; 120 units completed.
Related to the Leopard 2 ...
Entries with similar traits, features, or shared history to the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Leopard 2
.
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Tank Gun
Medium Machine Gun(s)
Smoke Generator
