|
|
Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann Press release ( 08 October 2010) |
|
|
KMW
delivers 20 upgraded LEOPARD 2A4 main battle tanks to
Canada |
|
|
Leopard
2A4M Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Canadian Army |
a |
Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann (KMW) has handed over the first of 20 LEOPARD
2 A4M CAN modernised battle tanks to the Canadian armed
forces yesterday, October 7th 2010. The roll-out took
place in the presence of the Canadian military representative,
Vice Admiral Denis Rouleau, and the General der Panzertruppen,
Brigadier General Klaus Feldmann, and numerous other representatives
of the Canadian and German army on training area at Bergen
near Hannover (Germany). The next deployment location
for the Canadian LEOPARDS will be Afghanistan.
On the occasion of the roll-out, Brigadier-General Steve
Bowes, Commander of the Canadian Land Force Atlantic Area
said: "The complexity of the contemporary operational
environment has done nothing to dimish the importance
of armour supporting the combined arms team. Canadians
are proud to serve our nation and 2 support our allies
abroad with the best main battle tank Leopard 2 for today's
complex operational environment." |
Leopard 2A4M Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Canadian
|
a |
Protecting
lives “Made in Germany”
Canada
commissioned KMW to upgrade 20 LEOPARD main battle tanks
in July 2009 for deployment in Hindu Kush. The new version,
the LEOPARD A4M CAN, is specially designed for operations
in Afghanistan. Both knowledge from the previously used
LEOPARD 2A6M and state-of-the-art technology that was
recently qualified by KMW in collaboration with the German
army and the Federal Office of Defence Technology and
Procurement (BWB) flowed into the development. The development,
conversion and overhaul of the first vehicles were successfully
carried out in less than one year, converting them into
modern operational units.
Daniel Hebert, Project Manager Tank Replacement Project,
said: "The flexibility, professionalism and teamwork
exhibited by KMW over the past three years to support
Canada's Leopard 2 A6M in Afghanistan was exceptional.
Now, with the Leopard 2 A4M, KMW continues to be instrumental
in providing Canada with superior firepower, mobility
and the protection required to save lives."
The main focus of the new design was consistent protection
of the crews, who are subjected to enemy attacks with
powerful anti-tank projectiles and are in constant danger
from mines and IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices).
The starting point for the protection concept is outstanding
protection from mines and good all-round protection.
Furthermore, the capabilities of the new battle tank have
been significantly extended by integrating a pioneer equipment
interface. Mine rollers, mine ploughs and dozer blades
allow the Canadian armed forces to carry out a wide range
of dangerous tasks in spite of the small number of heavy
vehicles. Provisions have also been made for deployment
in the extreme heat of southern Afghanistan.
With this order, KMW has again provided proof of its system
capability in battle tank construction, which is globally
unique. The armed forces of 16 countries now rely on the
LEOPARD 2. |
Leopard
2A4M Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Canadian |
a |
Optimum
mobility with a major effect
On
the battlefield, the LEOPARD is the most powerful response
to enemies who are armed with weapons of war and provides
maximum protection and unrestricted mobility for your
own crew. Unlike many other systems, the tank can also
operate and demonstrate its strengths in extremely dangerous
environments and can also do this over long periods
of time if necessary. NATO partners Canada and Denmark
have therefore been deploying the LEOPARD 2 for years
in ISAF operations in Afghanistan.
With its armour, which goes far beyond that of any other
battle vehicle, its speed, its agility and its precise
and extremely effective weaponry, it has a tremendous
amount of deterrent potential as far as the enemy is
concerned and is an essential system for Canadian soldiers
during operations that they cannot imagine doing without.
It has saved the lives of Canadian soldiers on many
occasions. This protection also has a positive effect
on the morale of the troops, who now rely on their Leos
during operations.
|
|
a |
Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leader in European market for
armoured vehicles
Krauss-Maffei
Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG leads the European market for
armoured wheeled and tracked vehicles. At locations in
Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Singapore and the USA,
some 3400 employees manufacture and support a product
portfolio ranging from air-transportable, heavily armoured
wheeled vehicles (MUNGO, AMPV*, DINGO, GFF4 and BOXER*)
through reconnaissance, anti-aircraft and artillery systems
(FENNEK, GEPARD, LeFlaSys*, Armoured Howitzer 2000, AGM
and DONAR) to heavy battle tanks (LEOPARD 1 and 2), infantry
fighting vehicles (PUMA*) and bridge-laying systems (LEGUAN).
In addition, KMW has wide-ranging system competence in
the area of civil and military simulation, as well as
in command and information systems and remote-controlled
weapon stations with reconnaissance and observation equipment
for day and night missions. The armed forces of more than
30 nations worldwide rely on the operational systems by
KMW. |
|
|
|
|