An overview: Leopard 2

ΑΠΟΨΕΙΣ - 19/10/2021. Συντάκτης: Defendia Newsroom

The Leopard 2 is a third generation Main Battle Tank (MBT), developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG (KMW) in the 70s. It is one of the most common used tank in the world, with more than 20 countries as current or future operators. The Leopard 2 has many variants, but we will examine the latest operational one; Leopard 2A7+.
The Leo 2A7+ is an MBT designed for both urban warfare operations and it can operate in low and high intensity situations, it is a very different tank than the A7 version in regards to operational use. It carries a 120 mm L/55 gun form Rheinmetall, it is highly effective in hilly mountainous terrain. It can operate without a lot of logistical support, thanks to its autonomy and the ability to carry extra rounds. It can be equipped with LAHAT ATGM, its armor is one of the best in the world, and it’s mobility has given it an advantage over tanks with better armor. It has a total weight of 62 tons and its optics are among the best in the world.
It has fought in Afghanistan with Denmark and Canada with great levels of success, destroying a lot of Taliban positions, and more recently, it has served in Syria with the Turkish Armed Forces with great losses, more than 18 Leopards were either captured by ISIL or destroyed, it needs to be mentioned though that the Leopards used in Syria, were of the A4 version, the latest of the Cold War (although they faced equally old technological weapons).
Overall, the Leopard 2 is a great asset for any army, it is fast, lethal and it can destroy anything on its path. The main issue is the use of the system, any system can fail, and will fail, if used irresponsibly.