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Land ForcesGermany

Leopard 2

Main battle tankIn serviceFielded 1979Pending verification
Land ForcesDEU
Leopard 2
Photo: Fric.matej · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fact cardConfidence · Source
System
TypeMain battle tank
Date of introduction1979
ProliferationAt least 15 countries
ManufacturerKrauss-Maffei Wegmann Maschinenbau KielMed[1]
Crew4Med[1]
Dimensions and weight
Width3.7 m12 ftMed[1]
Height2.8 m9 ftMed[1]
Combat weight56 tMed[1]
Automotive performance
EngineMTU MB-837 Ka501 dieselMed[1]
Engine power1,500 hpMed[1]
Cruising range550 km342 mi · 297 nmiMed[1]
Max road speed70 km/h43 mph · 38 ktMed[1]
Cross-country speed50 km/h31 mph · 27 ktMed[1]
Fording depth (Without Preparation)1.0 mMed[1]
Fording depth (With Preparation)4.0 mMed[1]
Protection
Hull ArmorWelded hull and turret, provides good protection from Armor-piercing rounds and ATGWs.Med[1]
Turret ArmorWelded hull and turret, provides good protection from Armor-piercing rounds and ATGWs.Med[1]
Applique ArmorYes, Track SkirtMed[1]
Active Protection SystemYes, Galiz, Stry122Med[1]
NBC ProtectionYesMed[1]
Smoke Equipmentgrenlaunch 8x2 at turretMed[1]
Armament
LoaderManualMed[1]
Basic load42 Total of any combination 120mm ProjectilesMed[1]
Maximum elevation+20 DegMed[1]
Minimum elevation-9 DegMed[1]
Main armament1 x Rheinmetall L/55 smoothbore gun, 120 mmMed[1]
Fire control
Computerized FCSYesMed[1]
Thermal Sight Tank CommanderNo, Instead a Low Light Enhancer PZB 200Med[1]
Thermal Sight GunnerNo, Instead a Low Light Enhancer PZB 200Med[1]
Main Gun StabilizationWNA-H22, 2-planeMed[1]
Range FinderLaserMed[1]
Variants
Leopard 2A1Minor modifications and the installation of the gunner's thermal sight[1] were worked into the second batch of 450 vehicles Leopard 2, designated the A1. Krauss-Maffei built 248 (Chassis Nr. 10211 to 10458) and Mak built[1]
Leopard 2A2This designation was given to upgraded vehicles of the first batch of Leopard 2s, brought up to the standard of the second and third batches. This modernisation gradually replaced the original PZB 200 sights in the first[1]
Leopard 2A3The fourth batch of 300 vehicles, 165 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10624 to 10788) and 135 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20510 to 20644), was delivered between December 1984 and December 1985. The main change was the addition of [1]
Leopard 2A4The 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 a[1]
Leopard 2 MarksmanFinland has modernised its Marksman SPAAG vehicles by replacing the original T-55AM chassis with a newer Leopard 2A4 chassis. The upgraded Marksman vehicles were scheduled to enter service with the Finnish Army in 2016. [1]
Leopard 2A5"Leopard 2 Improved" was a prototype-series for enhancing the A4, introducing a wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour to the turret front and the frontal area of the sides. These spaced armour modules defeat a hollow charge[1]
Weapons and payload options · 3Confidence · Source
Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti-Tank (LAHAT)120 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
42 Total of any combination 120mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
1,580-1,750 m/s
Armor penetration
450 mm
Warhead
4.5 kg
Guidance
Semi-Active Laser Homing
DM63 KE Cartridge (Rheinmetall)120 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
42 Total of any combination 120mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
1,650 m/s
DM53 120mm KE Projectile (Rheinmetall)120 mm ammunition
Med[1]
Quantity
42 Total of any combination 120mm Projectiles
Muzzle velocity
1,750 m/s
Summary

The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army.

Draft entry. Values come from the cited public sources and are awaiting editor verification.
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Operators
AustriaCanadaChileGermanySpainFinlandGreeceHungaryIndonesiaNorwayPolandQatarSingaporeSwedenTürkiye
Sources
  1. Leopard 2 German Main Battle Tank (MBT), U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
    Published/updated 2026-03-20 · Tier 1 · checked 2026-10-10
Change log
  • 2026-10-04 Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
  • 2026-10-05 Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)