In 2009, Canada acquired 80 Leopard 2A4 and 20 A6 tanks from the Netherlands. The tanks remained in theatre, while personnel were rotated every six months. Seven Canadian Leopard 2 squadrons served in Afghanistan between February 2007 and July 2011, when Canada’s combat mission to Afghanistan ended. ( See Canada and the War in Afghanistan.) Canada subsequentlyīought 20 surplus Leopard 2A6 tanks from the Netherlands and gave them to Germany to replace the loaned tanks. Canada alsoĪcquired two Buffalo ARVs to support operations in Afghanistan. These vehicles were upgraded to the A6M CAN standard with enhanced mine protection. In 2007, Germany loaned 20 Leopard 2 tanks to Canada at no cost. Only Canada, Germany and Denmark have deployed Leopard 2 tanks in an active combat theatre. Among them are the Büffel (Buffalo) armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) to repair and recover tanks and the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle (AEV). The Germans also produced several specialized vehicles. Besides Germany and Canada, 16 other countries fielded the Leopard 2, including Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Germany built more than 3,500 Leopard 2 tanks. Like the Leopard 1, its engine can be changed in a short time, anywhere from 15 to 35 minutes. The Leopard 2 weighs 62.3 tonnes and is powered by a 1,500-horsepower diesel engine with an automatic transmission. Armament includes two 7.62 mm machine guns - one mounted externally on the turret and one mounted This design choice was a departure from the more lightly armoured Leopard 1 turret. The turret was also fitted with composite armour forĪdded protection against modern threats like anti-tank guided missiles.

It was redesigned to accommodate the new German Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore cannon. It is not a revolutionary design, but an evolution from its predecessor.Īlthough the chassis was improved, it remained similar to the Leopard 1. In West Germany, development of the Leopard 2 was in-progress even as the Leopard 1 entered service in 1965.

Switzerland main battle tank