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During the 1960’s, development of a replacement to the Leopard took place at a low priority. However, in December 1969, as it became clear that the Kampfpanzer 70 project was not going to be a success, the Federal Ministry of Defense decided to go ahead with developing a new MBT unilaterally. The knowledge and experience gained from the Leopard and the KPz 70 program were used as the basis for the new design that was to become the Leopard 2. The design work was done by Porsche with Krauss-Maffei building the chassis and Wegmann the turrets.
A total of seventeen prototype chassis and turrets were built, one of these being sold to America for comparative trials with the XM1 MBT. All the prototypes used the Renk transmission from the Kampfpanzer 70 and twelve also used its MTU engine. Ten were equipped with a Rheinmetall 105mm smooth-bore gun and the others with a Rheinmetall 120mm smooth-bore gun. The hulls were similar to those of the Leopard 1 but with a more sharply angled glacis plate whilst the turrets resemble those of the Leopard 1A4.
Leopard 2 Prototype
1) Sennelager Training Area, Paderborn, Germany
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1665
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This Leopard 2 prototype is missing its turret. It appears to be largely complete externally but shows significant signs of damage.
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Production Vehicles
In 1974 the USA and West Germany signed a Memorandum of Understanding affirming their intentions to standardise their tank programs. To meet American requirements another model was built, the Leopard 2 AV (Austere Version). This had a simpler fire-control system and the British 105mm gun used in the Leopard 1 and American M60. More significantly it had a new turret and hull design incorporating spaced, multi-layer armour and other improvements. It was characterised by a slab-sided turret and an engine compartment roof sloping upwards to the rear.
The Leopard 2 AV went for trials in the USA in September 1976, following which one of the competing American designs was standardised as the M1 Abrams. However, the new Leopard was an excellent design and it was always likely that an American design would be chosen in these trials. In 1977 the Federal German Army ordered 1800 Leopard 2s from Krauss-Maffei and Krupp MaK using the new hull and turret design but mounting the Rheinmetall 120mm gun.
The first Leopard 2 tanks entered service with the FGA in 1978 and 1979, and they have since also been ordered for the Dutch and Swiss armies. The design has since been developed further, producing the Leopard 2A1 with the addition of an infra-red viewer, the removal of a cross-wind sensor and commander’s AA MG rail, and other changes. Early production Leopard 2s with these changes incorporated were redesignated 2A2. The 2A3 has a new SEM 80/90 radio system and a modified exhaust system; the 2A4 has a new fire-control computer and fire extinguishing system; and the 2A5 has an improved panoramic periscope and other changes.
In 1979 the Netherlands ordered 445 Leopard 2s to replace Centurion and AMX-13 tanks still in service and vehicles were delivered from 1981 to 1986. These Dutch Leopard 2 (NL) vehicles have Belgian 7.62mm FN MGs, and Dutch smoke dischargers, night vision equipment and radios.
2) Johannes Post Kazerne, Havelte, The Netherlands
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2343
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This is a Leopard 2A4 (source: Netherlands HAR).
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3) Museé Des Blindés, Saumur, France
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1008
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New entry.
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Panzer 87
4) Panzermuseum, Thun, Switzerland
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1208
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“M.77101” painted on nose.
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White square painted on front right mud flap. Painted overall in a green, brown and black camouflage scheme.
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New entry.
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