The Leopard 2A5 MBT History and Specifications

The Leopard 2A5 is an upgraded version of the Leopard 2A4, with several improvements and enhancements over its predecessor. Here are some of the main differences between the two:

Armor: The Leopard 2A5 features improved armor protection over the 2A4. The turret front and sides have been upgraded with new composite armor modules, which provide better protection against modern anti-tank weapons. The hull front also features a wedge-shaped armor array, which enhances its protection against kinetic energy penetrators.

1. Fire Control System: The Leopard 2A5 has an upgraded fire control system, which includes a new commander\’s independent thermal viewer (CITV) that allows the commander to search and engage targets independently of the gunner. The tank\’s gunner also benefits from an improved thermal imaging system, which provides better target acquisition and identification.

2. Main Gun: The Leopard 2A5 retains the same 120 mm smoothbore gun as the 2A4, but it has an improved barrel that provides better accuracy and longer barrel life. The gun is also fitted with a thermal sleeve that reduces the thermal signature of the barrel and improves its accuracy during sustained firing.

3. Mobility: The Leopard 2A5 has a more powerful engine than the 2A4, with a horsepower rating of 1,500 compared to 1,500 for the 2A4. The tank\’s transmission has also been upgraded to handle the increased power, which improves its acceleration and hill climbing ability.

4. Other features: The Leopard 2A5 has several other features that were not present on the 2A4, including a new air conditioning system, a GPS navigation system, and a battlefield management system.

Overall, the Leopard 2A5 is a significantly improved version of the Leopard 2A4, with enhanced protection, firepower, and mobility. It remains one of the most capable main battle tanks in the world today.

Specifications:

• Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)

• Combat weight: ~62 tonnes

• Length: 10.97 m

• Width: 3.7 m

• Height: 3.0 m

• Armor: Composite armor with additional modular armor on turret and hull

• Main armament: 120 mm smoothbore gun

• Ammunition types: APFSDS, HEAT, MP

• Engine: MTU MB 873 diesel, 1,500 hp

• Maximum speed: 72 km/h

• Range: 550 km

• Fire control system: Computerized fire control system with laser rangefinder and thermal imager

• Active protection system: None

History:

The Leopard 2A5 is an upgraded version of the Leopard 2 main battle tank that was developed by the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). The development of the Leopard 2A5 began in the mid-1990s, with the first prototype completed in 1995.

The Leopard 2A5 featured several upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Leopard 2A4. These upgrades included improved armor protection with additional modular armor on the turret and hull, an improved fire control system with a computerized system, and an upgraded engine for increased speed and mobility.

The Leopard 2A5 entered service with the German Army in 1997 and was later exported to several other countries, including Spain, Denmark, and Sweden. It has seen combat in several conflicts, including the War in Afghanistan, where it was used by German and Danish forces.

In addition to the Leopard 2A5, KMW also developed several other variants of the Leopard 2 tank, including the Leopard 2A6, Leopard 2A7, and Leopard 2A7+ with further upgrades in armor protection, mobility, and firepower.