Leopard MBT

Tank manufacturing is a joint effort of numerous more or less independent firms. However, the two main contractors in Leopard 2 production are: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), of Munich and Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK), of Kiel, Germany.

General Characteristics (Leopard 2A5)
Length:	9.9 m
Width:	3.7 m
Height:	3 m
Weight:	62 t
Speed:	70 km/h
Range:	550 km
Primary armament:	120mm L44 smoothbore Gun
Secondary armament:	two 7.62mm MG 3is
Power plant:	1,500 hp
Crew:	4

Table of contents

1 Production History 1.1 Configurations 2 External Links

Production History

The Leopard 1 was first produced in 1963 and is used by Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, Turkey and Australia.

The Leopard 2 was first produced in 1979 and is used by Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and Spain. Finland and Poland have purchased used German Leopard 2's and Greece has recently purchased Leopard 2A6's.

Configurations

The Leopard 2 is found in different configurations:

Leopard 2A6

• 120mm L55 smoothbore Gun by Rheinmetall GmbH

Leopard 2A5

• 120mm L44 smoothbore Gun by Rheinmetall GmbH

Leopard 2(S) (aka Strv 122) used by the Swedish Army

• Based on the 2A5
• Has upgraded Command and Control systems and a new passive armour.
• Can be distinguished from the 2A4 / Strv 121 by its wedge-shaped turret armor.

Leopard 2A4

• aka Strv 121 used by the Swedish Army
• Has flat turret armor.

Pz87 used by Switzerland

• Indigenous machineguns and communications.
• Improved NBC protection.

Pionierpanzer 1

• Basic combat engineering vehicle used by Germany.

Bergepanzer 2A1

• Armoured recovery vehicle used by Germany.

Gepard 1

• SPAAG variant armed with a twin 35mm turret.

External Links

Army Technology Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank