TGBX18: Leopard 2A5 Panzer Zug

From the beginning of its production and introduction into service in 1979 the Leopard 2 main battle tank has undergone incremental improvements. A key component of this program was the improvement of its armour. Most Leopard 2s in service in 1985 were Leopard 2A1 to 2A3 (the first four production batches), all with various minor changes during production, but with the same basic armour package, which consisted of a combination of steel plates of different hardness, as well as elastic and other non-metallic materials.

The first real improvement in the Leopard 2s armour came about with the Leopard 2A4 with the introduction of a new revised turret that included a tungsten/titanium armour mix for improved ballistics protection. This fifth production batch model also introduced an automated fire and explosion suppression system and an all-digital fire control system able to handle new ammunition types. The new Leopard 2A4 began production in 1984 and plans were made to bring all the previous models up to the same standard. Further armour improvements were made from the sixth production batch. While the production of the Leopard 2A4 went on, a development team had already begun investigating improving the Leopard 2 further. The West Germans realised further improvements had to be made to keep the Leopard 2 at the peak of armoured performance.

Initially known as Leopard 2 Improved, but later designated Leopard 2A5, the new model introduced wedge-shaped, spaced add-on armour to the turret front and the frontal area of the hull sides. The new spaced armour modules are designed to defeat the jet of a hollow charge or high-explosive anti-tank round prior to it reaching the base armour. They are also designed to cause kinetic-energy penetrators to change direction, eroding their penetrating power in the process.

Despite its angled overhang, the new armour did not form a shot-trap, since it did not deflect the penetrators outwards to hit the hull or turret ring. Add-on modular armour panels were also fitted to the hull front. When damaged these armour modules could be easily replaced in the field. New side-skirts were also fitted and the interior of the tank was lined to prevent spalling. These changes required the gun mantlet to be redesigned to accept the new armour, and the fire control system sensors and the commander’s sight had to be moved to accommodate the changes.

Overall the Leopard 2A5 had significant improvements to its armour effectiveness, as well as an improved sighting system incorporating a commander’s independent thermal channel for increased situational awareness and target acquisition. The turret controls are all-electric, improving gunnery, performance and reliability, in addition to providing major weight savings. The Leopard 2A5s increased protection meant it could assert itself even against the numerically superior Warsaw Pact aggressor.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 5x Leopard 2A5 Tanks

These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted