Leopard C2

Armament: 105-mm L7A3 gun 1 x 7.62-mm co-axially mounted machine-gun (C6) 1 x 7.62-mm crew commander's machine-gun (C6) 76-mm grenade launchers (2 clusters of 4 launchers) Ammunition types: Armour-Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) High explosive squash head (HESH) White Phosphorous Smoke (WP)

Specifications: Length: 8.17 m (gun at 6 o'clock), 9.54 m (gun at 12 o'clock) Width: 3.37 m Height: 2.62 m Weight: 42.5 t Engine: Multi-fuel engine, 10 cylinders, 830 hp Speed: 65 km/hr Range: 600 km Number in Service: 66 Sold to companies in North America: 23 In museums or used as monuments: 4 Used as hard targets on ranges: 21

Description/History

The C2 is an updated Leopard 1A5, which was developed in Germany in the 1980s. This tank deploys with a crew of four, including a commander, a driver, a gunner and a radio operator/loader. The 105-mm L7A3 gun is capable of engaging targets day and night, while on the move under adverse weather conditions, through the use of a fully stabilized fire control system with an integrated thermal imaging system and laser range-finder. The Leopard C2 Tank is also fitted with a gunner's secondary fire control system and a commander's fire control system. It has two 7.62-mm C6 machine guns. One is mounted inside the turret and another can be mounted externally on either the commander's or the loader's station.

The Leopard C2 is also fitted with two banks of four smoke grenade launchers on the turret. The tank may be "sealed-off" against nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) threats. It is a minimum-maintenance armoured fighting vehicle and complete replacement of the engine and transmission is possible in 30 minutes under field conditions. When properly fitted with a conning tower, it is capable of deep-fording or submerged fording where riverbanks are prepared for exit and entry.

The Leopard C2 was designed so it can be fitted with add-on armour and all of the new battlefield sensing and communication systems the Army plans to introduce over the next few years. Of the 114 purchased, 66 remain in service.

 

Leopard C2 Tank History

The Leopard 1 main battle tank was developed by Germany in the 1960s. Canada purchased over 125 Leopard 1 A3 tanks (designated Leopard C1) in the late 1970's, the bulk of which were stationed in West Germany until Canada withdrew from Europe. The tank has a fully stabilized 105mm gun capable of firing while the vehicle is moving. The Leopard also has a 7.62mm C-6 MG mounted co-axially, a C-6 on the turret roof for anti-aircraft defence, and smoke dischargers. The tank has a crew of four (crew commander, loader, gunner, driver) and is capable of submerged fording, with preparation.

This Canadian Leopard C1 outfitted with Add-On Armour designed to enhance protection. The Canadian Army is in the process of acquiring a thermal sight for the main armament to allow the Leopard to more operate more effectively during periods of low visibility & battlefield obscuration (ie. smoke, dust).

The Leopard upgrade project to C2 variant will extend the service life of the tank until 2010 while using improved ammunition for increased lethality.