Leopard 2A7+ MBT KMW

Main Battle Tank Kraus-Maffei Wegmann Germany

Leopard 2A7 MBT Main Battle Tank German Germany defense industry KMV 925 002

Description

The Leopard 2A7+ is a modernized version of the Leopard 2A6 MBT (Main Battle Tank) developed by the German Company KMW (Kraus-Maffei Wegmann). The Leopard 2A7+ was first shown to the public during the Eurosatory 2010, featuring the label "Developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann KMW - tested and qualified by German MoD (Ministry of Defense)". The Leopard 2A7+ has been tested by the Bundeswehr (German Army) under the name UrbOb for urban operations, the planned upgrade from 50 German Leopard 2s to Leopard 2A7+ is starting in 2012. The Leopard 2A7+ is designed to operate in low-intensity conflicts and also in high-intensity conflicts. Named LEOPARD 2 A7+ it 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. With the LEOPARD 2A7+, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann provides an adequate solution and enables armored forces to fulfill their objectives effectively and safely. The upgrade kit is available for all LEOPARD 2 versions and includes a comprehensive component set. In 2011, it was announced that Saudi Arabia was going to purchase 270 German Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks, but it was not confirmed by Germany. The first batch of Leopard 2A7+ MBTs was reportedly delivered to Qatar in October 2015 by the German Company KMW. The second batch of Leopard 2A7+ was delivered in October 2016, amounting to nearly half of the 62 ordered by Doha in a $2.21 billion U.S. deal signed in 2013. Qatar has ordered a total of 200. On 19 December 2018, as part of its modernization process, Hungary signed a contract for the procurement of 44 new Leopard 2 A7+ main battle tanks with German defense company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). KMW received an order to deliver 44 Leopard 2A7+ tanks to the Hungarian Defence Forces in December 2018, with deliveries scheduled between 2021 and 2025. Citing information published in May 2022 by the Reuters press agency, the Czech Republic is in talks with Germany to acquire 50 Leopard 2A7+. 

Leopard 2A7+ variants:

- Leopard 2A7+ Duel Operations: a demonstrator which was built by KMW based on a Dutch Leopard 2A6 and optimized for duel operations on the modern battlefield.
- Leopard 2A7+ Urban Ops: upgrade of Leopard 2A6 fitted with new armor and special equipment to perform urban combat operations.


Technical Data

Armament
The Leopard 2A7+ is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun L55, which has been developed by Rheinmetall GmbH of Ratingen, Germany to replace the shorter 120 millimeter L44 smoothbore tank gun on the Leopard 2. The 120-millimeter L44 gun barrel has a length of 530 cm and weighs 1,190 kg. The whole gun weighs 3,780 kg. By comparison, the 120-millimeter L55 gun barrel has a length of 660 cm and weighs 1,374 kg. The whole L55 gun weighs 4,160 kg. The extension of the barrel length from caliber length 44 to caliber length 55 (130 cm) results in a greater portion of the available energy in the barrel being converted into projectile velocity. The capability to fire the new programmable 120mm HE-round enables the crew to engage targets behind cover and within buildings. The Leopard 2A7 + is also armed with KMW’s remote-controlled weapon station FLW 200, which is operable under protection, the LEOPARD 2 A7+ is assertive in both built-up and non-built-up terrain. Each side of the turret can be fitted with a bank of six smoke grenade dischargers.
Leopard 2A7+ MBT Main Battle Tank German Germany defense industry KMV details 925 001
The Leopard 2A7 + is also armed with KMW’s remote-controlled weapon station FLW 200.
Design and protection
The design of the Leopard 2A7 is similar to the previous version of the Leopard 2 MBT family, except for the armor. It has a crew of four with a driver seated at the front of the hull on the right side, while the commander, gunner, and loader are located in the turret. The Leopard 2A7+ is equipped with an IED and mine protection modular concept allowing the integration of an urban operations kit that also offers a 3600 protection against RPG while a duel-kit retains the crew from KE- and SC projectiles especially on the frontal arc in classical duel situations. The Leopard 2A7+ has a weight of 67,500 kg, a length of 10.97 m, a width of up 4 m, and a turret roof height of 2.64 m.
Leopard 2A7+ MBT Main Battle Tank German Germany defense industry KMV details 925 002
 The Leopard 2A7 is fitted with new armor around the turret and the hull.
Mobility
The Leopard 2A7+ is motorized with an MTU MB 873 diesel engine, which generates a power of 1,500 hp. coupled to a Renk transmission with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears. The LEOPARD 2A7+ benefits from increased mobility by a newly developed final drive, a new track, enhanced torsion bars, an improved brake system, and an adaptable dozer blade to clear obstacles for the following vehicles. The suspension with torsion bars consists of each side of seven dual rubber-tired road wheels with the idler at the front, the drive sprocket at the rear, and four track-support rollers. It can reach a maximum road speed of 72 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 450 km.
Accessories
As for the all family of Leopard 2 MBTs, standard equipment on the Leopard 2A7+ includes a collective NBC system, power pack preheating, crew compartment heater, a fire extinguishing system, electric bilge pumps, and an escape hatch in the hull floor behind the driver. The Leopard 2A7+ is equipped with a high-performance cooling unit and an APU (auxiliary power unit) to accomplish a 24-hour battle day. The redesigned operational concept allows the crew to utilize the new capabilities efficiently. The commander and gunner benefit from the 3rd generation ATTICA™ thermal sight, near field surveillance day and night as well as day and night cameras for the driver. An obstacle clearance blade is mounted at the front of the vehicle. The driver has also night vision capability thanks to the use of a thermal imager/image intensifier night vision with front and rearview.

Specifications

Armament Armor
120 mm / L55 smoothbore cannon, 12.7 mm machine gun, 40 mm grenade launcher, and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. IED and mine protection modular concept, All-around protection kit against anti-tank weapons, mines, and IEDs
Country users Weight
Czech Republic, Germany, Qatar, Hungary 67,500 kg
Designer Country Speed
Germany 72 km/h
Accessories Range
Computerized firing control, 360° near field surveillance, searchlight, auxiliary Power Unit for the silent mode, Infantry telephone box, cooling system for electronic components and crew. 450 km
Crew Dimensions
4 Length: 10.97 m; Width: 4.00 m; Height: 2.64 m

Details View

 
Leopard 2A7+ MBT Main Battle Tank German Germany defense industry KMW front view 001 Leopard 2A7+ MBT Main Battle Tank German Germany defense industry KMW rear view 001
   
Leopard 2A7+ MBT Main Battle Tank German Germany defense industry KMW left side view 001 Leopard 2A7+ MBT Main Battle Tank German Germany defense industry KMW right side view 001

Pictures - Video