During the NATO Days event that was held in the Czech Republic, on 17 and 18 September 2022, German company Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW) demonstrates the Leopard 2A7+ Main Battle Tank (MBT) equipped with the Trophy APS (Active Protection System) developed by the Israeli company Rafael.
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German company KMW Krauss-Maffei Wegmann demonstrates its Leopard 2A7+ main battle tank during the NATO Days 2022 in the Czech Republic. (Picture source Ronkainen Twitter account)
Citing information published by the Army Recognition editorial team on August 2022, Germany will supply the Czech Republic with 14 Leopard 2A4 MBTs and one Büffel armored recovery vehicle from industrial stocks. This Leopard 2A4 tanks delivery agreement to the Czech Republic will be in exchange for the supply of Czech army T-72 MBTs to Ukraine.
Citing information from the international press agency Reuters on May 18, 2022, the Czech Republic would be in talks with Germany to acquire 50 Leopard 2A7+ tanks in the coming years. With this demonstration of the Leopard 2A7+ during the NATO Days in the Czech Republic, the German company KMW (Krauss Maffei Wegmann) wants to strengthen its commercial position.
The Leopard 2A7+ is the latest generation of main battle tank in the Leopard 2 family which is now in service with Hungary, Denmark, and Qatar. It was first shown to the public during the Eurosatory 2010 defense exhibition in France, featuring the label "Developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann KMW - tested and qualified by German MoD (Ministry of Defense)"?
Fitted the Trophy APS (Active Protection System), the Leopard 2A7+ is one of the most protected main battle tanks in the world. In fact, the tank incorporates a modular protection kit, increased mobility, improved sustainability, enhanced recce-abilities, and even more precise deployment of its various weapons. Asymmetrical threats from terrorist groups, IEDs, or individuals have created a dangerous environment in the deployment theatres.
The Trophy is an Active Protection System (APS) fully designed and developed by the Israeli company Rafael. It offers 360° azimuth protection and high angle elevation coverage while maintaining user-defined safety zones for friendly troops on the ground. It protects a tank from threats ranging from rockets to ATGMs and High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) rounds.
The layout of the Leopard 2A7+ is standard for a modern main battle tank with the driver position at the front of the hull, the turret in the middle with a commander, gunner and loader, and the powerpack at the rear.
The main armament of the Leopard 2A7+ consists of one 120mm L55/L44 smoothbore gun, which can fire all standard NATO ammunition as well as the new programmable 120mm HE-rounds. The roof of the turret is equipped with a FLW 200 remotely controlled weapon station armed with one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.
The Leopard 2A7+ also incorporates the latest generation of sight and fire control systems which can be used to target mobile or static threats during day and night.
The Leopard 2A7+ is powered by an MTU MB 873 diesel engine developing 1,500 hp. The tank can reach a maximum road speed of 72 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 450 km.
