Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
LEOPARD 2A6 MBT
The Leopard 2A6 is one of the latest generations of the main battle tanks from the family of German Leopard. The Leopard 2A6 was developed and manufactured by the German Defence Company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann based on the Leopard 2A5 main battle tank. The Leopard 2A6 entered into service with the German army in 2001. The first version of the Leopard 2 tank was produced for the first time in 1979 and is in service in Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain and Turkey.
We can easily identify the Leopard 2A6 compared to the Leopard 2A5, due to the use of the Rh 120 L55 cannon for the Leopard 2A6 which is one meter longer than the Rh 120 L44 mounted on the Leopard 2A5. In terms of its usage and deployment, the LEOPARD 2 is a truly international weapons system.
More than 3,000 LEOPARD 2's currently in service with eleven nations have so far been delivered by KMW as the prime contractor. The LEOPARD 2 is also produced on an international scale, with cooperation programs under the lead responsibility of KMW proving extremely successful and offering future user countries a guarantee of extensive production work share for their respective domestic industries.
The LEOPARD 2 is the result of consistent further development of German tank technology, starting with the LEOPARD 1 and based on the experience of international Swedish LEOPARD 2 Strv 122 MBT users. Hence, the very high availability of the system and its low life cycle costs. With its superior firepower - the result of an optimum combination of firepower, protection, mobility and C3I capabilities - the LEOPARD 2 is setting standards on a global scale.
The LEOPARD 2 is characterized by its modular design extending all the way to the assembly and component part levels. This, along with the performance reserves, for instance of the suspension and propulsion systems, facilitates modernization and upgrading. On January 24, 2023, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz approved the delivery to Ukraine of German-made Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks. On February 8, 2023, the Geman Defense Ministry announced that the first Leopard 2A6 tanks will be delivered to Ukraine in March 2023.
Leopard 2 main variants:
- Leopard 2: the first version of the vehicle
- Leopard 2A1: A number of minor modifications and the installation of the gunner's thermal sight, and new ammunition racks.
- Leopard 2A2: New thermal sight, deflector plate for the periscope and a large cover plate to protect the existing NBC protection system.
- Leopard 2A3: The main change was the addition of the SEM80/90 digital radio sets (also being fitted to the Leopard 1 at the same time), and the ammunition reloading hatches being welded shut.
- Leopard 2A4: The most widespread version of the Leopard 2 family, the 2A4 models included more substantial changes, including an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system able to handle new ammunition types, and an improved turret with flat titanium/tungsten armour.
- Leopard 2A5: The A5 introduced wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour to the turret front and the frontal area of the sides. There were also some improvements in the main armour composition. The tank interior received spall liners to reduce fragments if the armour is penetrated. The frontal "heavy" third of the side skirts were replaced with a new, stronger type.
- Leopard 2A6: Includes the addition of the Rheinmetall 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun and several other changes. The Leopard 2A6M is a version of the 2A6 with enhanced mine protection under the chassis, and several internal enhancements to improve crew survivability.
- Leopard 2PSO: designed especially for urban warfare, which had been encountered in peacekeeping operations with increasing frequency. Therefore the Leopard 2 PSO is equipped with more effective all-around protection, a secondary weapons station, improved reconnaissance ability, a bulldozer blade, a shorter gun barrel, non-lethal armament, close-range surveillance ability (through camera systems), a searchlight and further changes to improve its perseverance and mobility.
- Leopard 2A6EX: A further development of the Leopard 2A6, the private venture Leopard 2A6 EX has been developed for the export market and has several additional improvements including an auxiliary power unit, air conditioning unit, and improved armour protection.
- Leopard 2A7: is designed to operate in low-intensity conflicts as well as in high-intensity conflicts. The tank's protection has been increased by modular armour; the frontal protection has been improved with a duel-kit on the turret and hull front, while 360° protection against RPGs and mine protection increase the survivability of the tank in urban operations. It can fire programmable HE munitions and the turret mounted MG3 has been replaced with a stabilized FLW 200 remotely controlled weapon station. The mobility, sustainability and situational awareness have also been improved.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking
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