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German success story continues – the new LEOPARD 2 A7+
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann’s LEOPARD 2 has heralded the next generation of main battle tanks. Named LEOPARD 2 A7+ it incorporates a modular protection kit, increased mobility, improved sustainability, enhanced recce-abilities and an even more precise deployment of its various weapons. Furthermore it has successfully been tested and qualified by the German Army’s authorities and therefore pursues the LEOPARD’s pervious and unmatched success story. The LEOPARD 2 A7+ follows a modular design and thus allows operations in urban terrain as well as high intensity operations.
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| LEOPARD 2 A7+ Source: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann |
Next to the unmatched IED and mine protection the modular protection concept allows the integration of an urban operations kit that also offers a 3600 protection against RPG while a duel-kit retains the crew from KE- and SC-projectiles especially on the frontal arc in classical duel-situations.
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| LEOPARD 2 A7+ Source: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann |
Target oriented firepower
The capability to fire the new programmable 120mm HE-round enables the crew to engage targets behind cover and within buildings. Fitted with KMW’s remote controlled weapon station FLW 200, which is operable under protection, the LEOAPRD 2 A7+ is assertive in both built-up and non-built-up terrain.
Increased mobility
The LEOPARD 2 A7+ benefits from an increased mobility by a newly developed final drive, a new track, enhanced torsion bars, an improved brake-system and an adaptable dozer blade to clear obstacles for following vehicles.
Enhanced sustainability
Furthermore it is equipped with a high-performance cooling unit and an APU (auxiliary power unit) to accomplish a 24-hour battle day. The redesigned operational concept allows the crew to utilize the new capabilities efficiently.
Enhanced reconnaissance and situational awareness
The commander and gunner benefit from the 3rd generation ATTICA™ thermal sight, near field surveillance at day and night as well as day and night cameras for the driver.
LEOPARD 2 – a worldwide success story
The LEOPARD 2 sets standards worldwide as a battle tank. No other western battle tank is in use with so many armies around the world. And it makes no difference to the LEOPARD 2 whether it is deployed in Scandinavia, in the Alps or in Afghanistan.
For example, the Canadian Army uses the LEOPARD 2A6M in Afghanistan. This version corresponds to the A6 version, but it also has enhanced protection against mines and booby traps. The fact that this protection is extremely effective was demonstrated in November 2007.
Taliban fighters carried out an attack on a Canadian LEOPARD 2A6M-CAN with a large booby trap.
Tank damaged – crew alive
The tank was indeed damaged, but the entire crew survived the attack. Following a repair the LEOPARD 2 is now back in use once again. Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has already delivered over 3,500 LEOPARD 2 battle tanks. The origins of the battle tank go back to the 1960’s. In those days the strategists assumed that in the event of a clash between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, there could be major tank battles on German soil.
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| LEOPARD 2 A7+ Source: Krauss-Maffei Wegmann |
So the German Army needed an extremely well protected battle tank, which was superior to the models introduced in the Eastern Block and could be deployed in conjunction with other vehicles. The first prototypes of the LEOPARD 2 were developed by 1972. In 1977 KMW, then still Krauss-Maffei, was commissioned as the general contractor to supply 1,800 LEOPARD 2 battle tanks. In the following 13 years 2,125 LEOPARD 2 tanks were produced for Germany and the Netherlands at KMW and MaK/Rheinmetall, and delivered by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann as the general contractor. A large proportion of them have now been modernised up to the A5 and A6 versions. The various version names in themselves are an indication that the LEOPARD 2, with its modular design, has been developed and improved again and again over time.
The outstanding fighting power of the LEOPARD 2 not only impressed the German Army, but also the armies of other countries from right the outset. The Netherlands decided to buy the LEOPARD 2 as the battle tank for the Koninklijke Landmacht on 2 March 1979. KMW delivered 445 vehicles in the NL version to our European neighbours, who like those with the German Army have now been upgraded by KMW in terms their combat value, to A6 status. Along with Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden and Denmark, the armies of Finland and Norway, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Poland also rely on the LEOPARD 2. The battle tank is used by a total of sixteen armies. The LEOPARD 2 is the European battle tank. Outside of Europe, in addition to Canada and the city-state of Singapore, the Chilean army has also gone for the LEOPARD 2 since the autumn of 2007.
Source:
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann
PRESS- AND MEDIACONTACT
Christoph Müller, Head of
Strategy & Corporate Communications
Tel: +49/89/8140.4675
Fax: +49/89/8140.4977
E‑Mail: c.mueller@kmweg.de
