Turkish company Aselsan to modernize Chile's Leopard 2A4 CHL tanks for greater combat accuracy.

As reported by Infodefensa on January 15, 2025, the Turkish defense company Aselsan and Chile’s Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército (Famae) have entered into an agreement to transfer the technology and expertise necessary to integrate its electronic fire control systems into the Leopard 2A4 tanks of the Chilean Army. This partnership forms part of Chile’s Proaco project, which is designed to increase the Chilean military’s operational independence. The agreement includes local assembly of the systems, training for tank crews and maintenance personnel, and the establishment of diagnostic, repair, and testing procedures, enabling the Chilean Army to maintain its armored fleet independently.
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Chile acquired between 140 and 234 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany, which were later modified to operate in the high-altitude environment of the Atacama Desert, where elevations can exceed 4,300 meters. (Picture source: VI División del Ejército de Chile)

At Exponaval 2024, an international naval and defense exhibition in Chile, Aras Balli, Director of Aselsan Latin America, described the agreement as a step toward localizing production and transferring technology to partner nations. The relocation of production to Chile aims to enable faster maintenance response times, scalability for future upgrades, and the development of a local workforce trained to carry out preventative and corrective maintenance and provide operational training to tank operators.

Depending on the sources, between 2007 and 2008, Chile acquired between 140 and 234 Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany, including those procured for spare parts and training purposes. These tanks, designated as Leopard 2A4CHL, were modified to operate in the high-altitude environment of the Atacama Desert, where elevations can exceed 4,300 meters. To adapt to these conditions, the turbochargers in the tanks' MTU MB 873 Ka-501 engines were upgraded with new impellers designed for high altitudes, and additional temperature sensors were installed to prevent overheating. Other modifications included GPS integration and a FibroTex multispectral camouflage system to reduce the tanks’ visibility to thermal and electromagnetic sensors.

The Leopard 2A4CHL is equipped with a Rheinmetall 120mm L/44 smoothbore gun and is able to fire a wide range of ammunition types, including DM63 and DM33 APFSDS rounds, as well as Israeli-manufactured M322 and M324 shells. These munitions provide high penetration capabilities, with the DM63 achieving a muzzle velocity of 1,650 m/s. The tank is also fitted with advanced optics, including the EMES-15 fire control system and WBG-X thermal imaging, enhancing its target acquisition and engagement capabilities. The Leopard 2A4CHL's performance has been tailored to Chile’s operational requirements, including operations in flat desert areas in the north and mountainous regions along the Andean border.

The tanks' effectiveness is supported by their ability to operate in diverse geographic conditions, including desert plains and elevated terrains. Additionally, their combat capabilities are fortified by the use of Israeli and NATO-standard ammunition, which enhances their lethality and versatility. With these adaptations, the Leopard 2A4CHL serves as a critical component of the Chilean Army's armored forces, offering reliable performance in a variety of operational contexts.

Aselsan was selected by Chile for the Leopard 2A4CHL modernization due to its extensive experience with Turkish Leopard 2A4 tanks, gained through projects such as the Leopard 2NG, Leopard 2A4T1 and Leopard 2A4 TİYK. (Picture source: Twitter/IlkayEfetr)

Aselsan's work with the Leopard 2A4 began with the development of the Leopard 2 Next Generation (NG) upgrade package. Introduced in 2011, this initiative was designed to enhance the Leopard 2A4's capabilities through modular armor, the Volkan-II fire control system, and upgraded optics. The package aimed to improve the tank’s protection, firepower, and situational awareness, aligning it with the capabilities of Leopard 2A5 and 2A6 models. While the NG project remained at the prototype stage due to its high cost, it provided critical insights into the integration of advanced systems into the platform, reportedly attracted interest from Finland, and established a basis for future modernization efforts.

The Leopard 2A4T1 program was initiated after operational losses of Turkish Leopard 2A4 tanks during engagements in northern Syria. This program focused on addressing identified vulnerabilities by adding modular and reactive armor to enhance protection against threats such as anti-tank guided missiles. Additionally, situational awareness systems and electro-optical subsystems were integrated to improve battlefield performance. The Leopard 2A4T1 provided an interim solution for improving tank survivability and performance, incorporating lessons learned from earlier initiatives, including the NG package.

The Leopard 2A4 TİYK program represents a comprehensive modernization effort for Turkey's Leopard 2A4 fleet, which includes 298 units acquired from Germany in the early 2000s. This project includes systems developed by Aselsan, such as the Volkan-II fire control system, electric gun and turret drives, and situational awareness systems, along with modular armor provided by Roketsan. The program also allows for optional integration of soft-kill active protection systems. Initially covering 84 tanks, with the possibility of expanding to additional units, the TİYK program reflects a more practical and scalable approach to modernization, incorporating technologies and knowledge gained from both the NG and A4T1 efforts. Furthermore, these modernizations leverage indigenous technologies, some of which were originally developed for the Altay main battle tank and other upgraded platforms like the M60TM.

Therefore, Aselsan was selected by Chile for the Leopard 2A4CHL modernization due to its extensive experience with Turkish Leopard 2A4 tanks, gained through projects such as the Leopard 2NG and Leopard 2A4 TİYK. These efforts focused on improving tank protection, firepower, and situational awareness using modular upgrades and advanced technologies. Aselsan’s approach includes localizing production and transferring technical knowledge, aligning with Chile’s objectives under the Proaco project to increase military self-reliance. The company’s expertise in adapting systems to diverse environmental conditions, including high-altitude operations, and its ability to support local maintenance and training requirements, made it a practical choice for this program.