{
  "id": "leopard-2",
  "name": "Leopard 2",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "DEU",
  "category": "Main battle tank",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 1979,
  "operators": [
    "AUT",
    "CAN",
    "CHL",
    "DEU",
    "ESP",
    "FIN",
    "GRC",
    "HUN",
    "IDN",
    "NOR",
    "POL",
    "QAT",
    "SGP",
    "SWE",
    "TUR"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 15,
  "summary": "The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s for the West German Army. The tank first entered service in 1979 and succeeded the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the German Army.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Maschinenbau Kiel",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 4,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.7,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 2.8,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 56,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "MTU MB-837 Ka501 diesel",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 1500,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 550,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 70,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 50,
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth (Without Preparation)",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.0 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth (With Preparation)",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "4.0 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Loader",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "Manual",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Basic load",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "42 Total of any combination 120mm Projectiles",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Maximum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "+20 Deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Minimum elevation",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "-9 Deg",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Computerized FCS",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Tank Commander",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "No, Instead a Low Light Enhancer PZB 200",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Thermal Sight Gunner",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "No, Instead a Low Light Enhancer PZB 200",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Main Gun Stabilization",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "WNA-H22, 2-plane",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Range Finder",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Laser",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Welded hull and turret, provides good protection from Armor-piercing rounds and ATGWs.",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Turret Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Welded hull and turret, provides good protection from Armor-piercing rounds and ATGWs.",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Applique Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, Track Skirt",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Active Protection System",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes, Galiz, Stry122",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "Yes",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Smoke Equipment",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "grenlaunch 8x2 at turret",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "1 x Rheinmetall L/55 smoothbore gun, 120 mm",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti-Tank (LAHAT)",
      "role": "120 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "1,580-1,750 m/s",
        "Armor penetration": "450 mm",
        "Warhead": "4.5 kg",
        "Guidance": "Semi-Active Laser Homing"
      },
      "qty": "42 Total of any combination 120mm Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "DM63 KE Cartridge (Rheinmetall)",
      "role": "120 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "1,650 m/s"
      },
      "qty": "42 Total of any combination 120mm Projectiles"
    },
    {
      "name": "DM53 120mm KE Projectile (Rheinmetall)",
      "role": "120 mm ammunition",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Muzzle velocity": "1,750 m/s"
      },
      "qty": "42 Total of any combination 120mm Projectiles"
    }
  ],
  "variants": [
    {
      "name": "Leopard 2A1",
      "text": "Minor modifications and the installation of the gunner's thermal sight[1] were worked into the second batch of 450 vehicles Leopard 2, designated the A1. Krauss-Maffei built 248 (Chassis Nr. 10211 to 10458) and Mak built",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Leopard 2A2",
      "text": "This designation was given to upgraded vehicles of the first batch of Leopard 2s, brought up to the standard of the second and third batches. This modernisation gradually replaced the original PZB 200 sights in the first",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Leopard 2A3",
      "text": "The fourth batch of 300 vehicles, 165 by Krauss-Maffei (Chassis Nr. 10624 to 10788) and 135 by Mak (Chassis Nr. 20510 to 20644), was delivered between December 1984 and December 1985. The main change was the addition of ",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Leopard 2A4",
      "text": "The most widespread version of the Leopard 2 family, the 2A4 models included more substantial changes, including an automated fire and explosion suppression system, an all-digital fire control system able to handle new a",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Leopard 2 Marksman",
      "text": "Finland has modernised its Marksman SPAAG vehicles by replacing the original T-55AM chassis with a newer Leopard 2A4 chassis. The upgraded Marksman vehicles were scheduled to enter service with the Finnish Army in 2016. ",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ]
    },
    {
      "name": "Leopard 2A5",
      "text": "\"Leopard 2 Improved\" was a prototype-series for enhancing the A4, introducing a wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour to the turret front and the frontal area of the sides. These spaced armour modules defeat a hollow charge",
      "src": [
        "weg-leopard-2"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "art": "tank",
  "image": {
    "file": "leopard-2.jpg",
    "thumb": "leopard-2-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Fric.matej",
    "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tank_Leopard_2A7_NATO_Days_2022.jpg",
    "title": "File:Tank Leopard 2A7 NATO Days 2022.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Added photo (CC BY-SA 4.0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/leopard-2.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-leopard-2": {
      "title": "Leopard 2 German Main Battle Tank (MBT)",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/Leopard_2_German_Main_Battle_Tank",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}