Kampfpanzer Leopard 2

In September 1977, the German Ministry of Defence decided to go ahead with plans for production of 1,800 Leopard 2s, to be delivered in five batches. Krauss-Maffei was again chosen as the main contractor, but this time Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK), of Kiel would be a major (45%) subcontractor. Deliveries started in 1979, and by 1982 the first batch of 380 Leopard 2; 209 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10001 to 10210) and 171 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20001 to 20172) was completed. The earliest of these were fitted with an image intensifier, the last 80 with a new thermal night-sight system, and this was later retrofitted to the earlier models.

The first export customer were The Netherlands which received 445 vehicles between July 1981 and July 1986.[4] The Netherlands later resold 114 of these (and one turret) to Austria, 80 to Canada in 2007,[5] another 52 tanks to Norway and finally 37 to Portugal. Sweden also acquired 280 Leopards, 160 2A4s from German stocks, designated Stridsvagn 121, and the rest Leopard 2(S) models (designated Stridsvagn 122) similar in configuration to the Leopard 2A5 variant. Spain first leased and later bought 108 2A4 models in the interim period before 219 license-built Leopard 2A6 models (Leopardo 2E) were ready to replace them. Switzerland bought 380 between 1987 and 1993. A number of countries also use versions of the tank, including Poland, Denmark, Finland, Greece (license-built Leopard 2Hel), Turkey and Chile. Germany has fielded about 2125 Leopard 2s in various versions. The design was also tested by Britain in the 1980s, which ultimately decided on the Challenger 1. The Australian Army evaluated ex-German Leopard 2s as a replacement for its Leopard 1 tanks in 2003 but instead selected the M1A1 Abrams.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Kampfpanzer Leopard
• Main Battle Tank
• Panzer
• 120mm
• Bundeswehr
• Heer
• Luftwaffe
• Marine
• German Army
• German Tank
• Infantry
• Grenadiers
• King Tiger
• Panther
• Hummel
• Stug

[TanKissU]

ACHTUNG LEOPARD-2

Cool vid 5*****

[sodomized1]

@TanKissU Thanks

[petrwarry72]

looks nice 5*****

[sodomized1]

Thanks Petr for the comment

[petrwarry72]

u r welcome mate , it's hard to say which modern tank is best ,but leopard belongs to top, my mate is modernised T72 commander,he says that newest models russians keep for themself

[sodomized1]

The Leopard tank is definitely one of the top Main battle tanks.Unfortunately we know too little about the Russian aircraft, which determines are not bad.

[DonStoichkov]

ICH LIEBE DIESEN PANZER,Ich liebe DEUTSCHLAND AUCH:D:D:D:)))

LEO 2 is THE BEST TANK in the WORLD.....

Gruss aus Bulgarien

[Frone1887]

@Lantanawip the french MBT leclerc has a german MTU engine :D

[Angelrat70]

Best gun (L55), best mobility, best long distance armour and with A6 also chobham armour. In short: best allround MBT!

[myniol]

SS Tank hehe DEutchsland uber alles gene

[Peaceinlifenowar]

Very dangerous if thats what i think leopards are doing. Full speed shooting white phosphorus ahead of them

[2349DF]

@Lantanawip The Leclerc of which has never been battle tested.

[Nackenzwei]

@Lantanawip Wondering how that is possible. You know, since both tanks have a 120mm main gun and are practically shooting the same type of rounds..

[berkut2006]

excelent cuality video