RUAG introduces a new Leopard 2 A4 armor upgrade at IAV 2013 International Armoured Vehicles

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IAV 2013 International Armoured Vehicles show daily news coverage report exhibition conference actualités exhibitors visitors program information Farnborough United Kingdom Salon International des véhicules blindés
 

International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2013
International Defence Exhibition & Conference
FIVE, Farnborough, United Kingdom
5 - 8 February 2013

RUAG Defence at IAV International Armoured Vehicles 2013
 
 
Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 11:39 PM
 
RUAG introduces a new Leopard 2 A4 armor upgrade at IAV 2013 International Armoured Vehicles

The options open to those customers researching the international market for solutions aimed at either replacing the existing A4 MBT fleet, or upgrading are varied. They either replace with surplus models (A5 & A6) or embark on a Mid Life Upgrade programme of the A4 version. However, when considering protection some factors are indisputable.

The Leopard 2 A5 possesses the same protection levels as the A6 version. This armour is a significant improvement on the Leopard A4 version. However, in improving the passive protection in these two versions the result has been a significant increase in the vehicle weight, which affects the torsion bars, tracks and suspension system. The Leopard 2 A5 has been in service since 1995 and Leopard 2 A6 (based on Leopard 2 A5`s) since 2001. Therefore, the platforms in comparison with Leopard 2 A4 tanks have been under increased stress over an extensive period.

     
The options open to those customers researching the international market for solutions aimed at either replacing the existing A4 MBT fleet, or upgrading are varied. They either replace with surplus models (A5 & A6) or embark on a Mid Life Upgrade programme of the A4 version. However, when considering protection some factors are indisputable.
Leopard 2 A4 scale model with RUAG Defence armor upgrade
on Ruag stand at IAV International Armoured Vehicles 2013

     
With only the front protection modules mounted, RUAG Defence is able to improve the overall protection of the turret crew compartment, thus exceeding the protection available on the Leopard 2 A5/A6.

The optional side protection modules increase the coverage degree and give the tank full protection against KE penetrators and shaped charges over the whole frontal arc (±90°). If required, the bomblet protection on the roof (turret and hull) offers protection against a wide range of known artillery bomblets.

Other improvement available for upgrading the protection of the A4 MBT include RUAG’s Roof Protection Kit-P, this is a ballistically and environmentally qualified roof protection Kit which could be integrated with the existing roof plates of the vehicle.

The installation of a spall liner would reduce secondary fragments cone angle and therefore increase the survivability of the crew in case of perforation. The spall liner would cover the side and roof area of the crew compartment including driver’s compartment.

Mine protection in the modern battlefield environment is of prime importance to the MBT of today. The International mine protection kit concerns primary and secondary mine protection. The principles regarding the mounting of components in the crew compartment are adopted from the Swiss Pz87 WE program: assemblies and seats are detached from the floor, torsion bar covers installed in the crew compartment, modifications implemented to ammunition rack and mine protection plate installed including modifications of emergency escape cover.

The original Leopard 2 A4, as well as the A5/A6 versions, do not give adequate protection against medium calibre KE penetrators from Infantry Fighting Vehicles, nor against handheld anti-tank weapons such as the RPG-7 or Panzerfaust.
     
US-based company Transhield introduces for the first time in Europe its covers for military use at IAV 2013, the International Armoured Vehicles conference and exhibition currently held in Farnborough in the UK. Thranshield already provides cutting edge anti-corrosion protective cover solutions to many branches of the US Armed Forces.