Germany
Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank
Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

Leopard 2
GENERAL DATA
 Leopard 2
Alternative DesignationsSwiss Pz 87, Swedish Strv 121
Country of OriginGermany
RoleMain battle tank
Date Of Introduction1979
Crew4
Combat Weight60.79 tons (55.15 mt)
Ground Pressure11.8 psi (0.83 kg/cm²)
Length, Overall 31.73 ft (9.67 m)
Length, Hull 25.33 ft (7.72 m)
Width, Overall 12.14 ft (3.7 m)
Height, Overall 9.15 ft (2.79 m)
Height, Turret Top 8.13 ft (2.48 m)
Ground ClearanceFront: 21.14 in (537 mm). Rear: 19.17 in (487 mm).
PERFORMANCE
 Leopard 2
Engine1,500 hp (1,119 kw) MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel
Range342 miles (550 km)
Fuel Capacity317 gal (1,200 l)
Road Speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Cross Country Speed25 mph (40 km/h)
Swim SpeedN/A
Fording Depth3.3 ft (1.0 m) unprepared.  7.4 ft (2.25 m) prepared.  9.8 ft (4.0 m) with snorkel
Grade60%
Trench Crossing9.84 ft (3 m)
Vertical Wall Climb3.61 ft (1.1 m)
PROTECTION
 Leopard 2
ArmorTurret front: 27.6 in (700mm) against KE rounds.  39.4 in (1,000mm) against HEAT rounds
Applique ArmorTrack skirts
Explosive Reactive ArmorN/A
Active Protective SystemGalix on Strv 122 variant
NBC Protection SystemYes
Smoke EquipmentEight smoke grenade launchers on each side of turret
ARMAMENT
Leopard 2
Type Mount Typical Ammo Load
120mm L44 (M256) smooth bore gun Turret; manual loading 42.
APFSDS-T, HEAT-MP-T
7.62mm MG3A1 machine gun Coaxial to main gun 2,000
7.62mm MG3A1 machine gun Turret cupola 2,750
FIRE CONTROL
 Leopard 2
Fire Control System?
Main Gun StabilizationWNA-H22, 2-plane
RangefinderLaser, neodymium
Infrared SearchlightYes

NOTES

The Leopard 2 has a four-stroke, 12-cylinder multi-fuel, exhaust turbo-charged, liquid-cooled engine. The hull is made of spaced multi-layer armor and divided into the driver's compartment in front, the fighting compartment in the middle, and the engine compartment in the rear. Standard equipment includes an NBC system, powerpack preheating, crew compartment heater, fire-extinguishing system, electric bilge pumps, and a hull escape hatch behind the driver.

The driver sits on the right front with three periscopes and has a hatch cover opening to the right. Some ammunition is stored to his left. The commander and gunner are on the left of the turret, the loader on the right. The commander's hatch has all-around periscopes and a circular cover opening to the rear. In front of the commander's hatch is a stabilized panoramic periscope. Another periscope on the roof is for the gunner. The loader on the left has a single periscope and hatch cove opening to the rear. On the left side of the turret is an ammunition resupply hatch. There is a stowage basket on the rear of the turret.

The torsion-bar suspension supports dual rubber-tired road wheels, four track return rollers, and rear drive sprocket. Steel-reinforced rubber skirts cover the rear two-thirds of the tracks. The front third are covered by special, thick armored boxes.

The Leopard 2 is characterized by it's bulky, angular appearance and very high automotive performance.
Leopard 2
Recognition features:

VARIANTS

A variety of upgrade programs and options are available for the Leopard 2. These include the Atlas Elektronik Vehicle Integrated Command and Information System (IFIS), a digital command and information system.
Leopard 2
1979. Original production model. See data above.
Leopard 2A1 to 2A4
Minor changes, as well as fire control system upgrades.
Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Exercise - Helle 06
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Finnish Defence Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Exercise - Helle 06
Finnish Defence Forces Photo
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Austrian Armed Forces Photograph: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Austrian Armed Forces Photo
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Austrian Armed Forces Photograph: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Austrian Armed Forces Photo
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Austrian Armed Forces Photograph: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Austrian Armed Forces Photo
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Polish Land Forces: Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
Polish Land Forces Photo
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Leopard 2A5/Leopard 2 (Improved)
Upgrade with spaced armor added to turret front, and increased armor on hull and side skirts. Other improvements include improved stabilization, suspension, navigation, fire control, and hatch design.
Leopard 2A6
The Leopard 2A6 features a longer 120mm L55 smoothbore main gun. The Leopard 2A6M has enhanced mine protection for the hull bottom.
Canadian Department of National Defence: Leopard 2A6M
Leopard 2A6M
Canadian Department of National Defence Photo
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Canadian Department of National Defence: Leopard 2A6M
Leopard 2A6M
Canadian Department of National Defence Photo
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Canadian Department of National Defence: Leopard 2A6M
Leopard 2A6M
Canadian Department of National Defence Photo
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Canadian Department of National Defence: Leopard 2A6M
Leopard 2A6M
Canadian Department of National Defence Photo
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Dutch Leopard 2
Uses indigenous equipment. The Dutch Leopard 2s have different 7.62mm machine guns, smoke dischargers, passive night periscope for the driver, radios, and intercom equipment.
Swiss Leopard 2 (Pz87)
Swiss Leopard 2s are similar to the German Leopard 2s. The Swiss Panzer 87 Leo, as it is usually called, has Swiss radios, antennas, and machine guns, an improved driver's hatch, a digital computer instead of the analog computer, a fire/explosion detection and suppression system for the crew compartment, an improved NBC protection system, hydraulic track tensioning units, a Baird passive night driving periscope, optical master warning for the driver when driving with the hatch open, and some other minor modifications.
Strv 122 (Leopard 2S)
Swedish-licensed variant resembling 2A5 with an indigenous turret and other upgrades. The tank features French Galix active protection system and improved command and control. With additional armor, Strv 122 will weigh 62 mt.