The German part of the KNDS company, KMW, presented a package of improvements to the Leopard 2 tanks marked A-RC 3.0 at this year's Paris arms fair. It is designed to increase their combat properties so that these machines will stay in service for another 2 decades. Countries curious in specified an alternate to buying a fresh base tank are many.
Developed by German engineers in the late 1970s Base tank Leopard 2 It is not only 1 of the most widely utilized tanks – more than 3600 were manufactured, which are equipped with respective twelve armies worldwide. It is besides a device that since entering service in the early 1980s is constantly improved and improvedwhich is reflected in its subsequent versions. The latest variety bears the designation Leopard 2A8.
The Leopardy 2-powered armies, although stressing that they are 1 of the best tanks in the world, are preparing to introduce the next generation of basic tanks into service. All leading armor-car manufacturers in the planet are working on their solutions. Also, both German producers of Leopards 2 – KMW (now part of KNDS) and Rheinmetall. Both of these companies, in addition to the fresh primary tanks, offer upgrade packages for older Leopards 2 versions, which, as the experts argue, will let the armies to wait in peace for the effects of investigation and improvement on the "tanks of the future".
KMW's latest proposal, called Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0, presented to the public for the first time in Paris on Eurosatory arms fairs. The creators of the modernized Leopard emphasize that they had 3 priorities: to increase the level of device protection and to increase its driving properties and combat capabilities. They say they have achieved success in each of these areas.
In terms of expanding protection, the tank uses a fresh much lighter armor, a combination of classical passive armor and reactive armor, supported by the latest version of the EuroTrophy system, i.e. active protection based on radars and directional charges fighting enemy anti-tank missiles.
Since the conclusions from Ukraine indicate that the most frequently attacked part of the tank is the tower, the creators of Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 decided that alternatively of importantly expanding its armor, it is better to usage a remotely controlled unmanned tower and to hide it in the separated part of the hull. This solution has another advantage – a crucial simplification of the weight of the full tank. As declared by specialists from KNDS Germany, Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 is expected to weigh about 58 or even 57 tonnes, which is almost 10 tonnes little than Leopard 2A8. The smaller mass clearly translates into an increase in the driving performance of the vehicle, which, as its creators declare, can be equipped with a newer, stronger motor at the customer's request than the first engine.
KNDS specialists are besides very flexible in the issue of Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 armaments. A 20 mm remotely controlled cannon is intended to combat drones and circular ammunition, and the main cannon may have a calibre of 120 mm to 140 mm – depending on the user's needs. Importantly, regardless of the choice of cannon, a fresh tank base can be the chassis of any old Leoparda 2 model.
