The Leopard 2 was an offshoot of the MBT-70 -- a cancelled joint development project between the USA and West Germany undertaken in the late 1960s. Even though the US had withdrawn from the project, the West Germans, under the auspices of Krauss-Maffei, continued research and development on the renamed Leopard 2 project. In 1977, the first production vehicles were delivered and exported to the smaller Dutch Army while the West German Bundeswehr waited a couple of years before it too was equipped with the powerful new main battle tank. The Leopard 2 is outfitted with a laser rangefinder, thermal-imaging equipment, and nuclear, biological and chemical defense system (NBC), and can conduct shallow amphibious operations. Its fire control system is unusual because the cartridge cases are combustible, which can lead to internal fires. The Leopard 2 has a 30% better power-to-weight ratio than the Leopard I, which results in increased cross-country mobility and a higher survivability rate on the battlefield.

The Leopard 2A6 includes the addition of the Rheinmetall 120 mm (4.7 in) L/55 smoothbore gun and other changes. All German tank battalions of the "crisis intervention forces" are equipped with the A6. Canada purchased twenty Leopard 2A6s from the Netherlands. These were delivered in 2007. Portugal purchased 37 Leopard 2A6s from the Dutch in 2007, with delivery in 2008. In January 2014, Finland purchased 100 L2A6s, as well as munitions, simulators, and a ten-year supply of reserve parts from the Netherlands. The tanks were delivered in batches between 2015 and 2019.

The Leopard 2A6A1 is a command version of the Leopard 2A6, stemming from the KWS I programme. The vehicle includes additional radios (with the number depending on the level of command) to accommodate the communications for section, platoon, troop, company, squadron or battalion commanders. For section leaders, the vehicle is fitted with 1x SEM 80 and 1x SEM 90 VHF radios. For platoon or troop commanders, the vehicle is fitted with 1x SEM 80 and 1x SEM 90 VHF radios along with an 800m field telephone cable drum fitted at the rear of the vehicle. For company, squadron or battalion commanders the vehicle is fitted with 2x SEM 80 or 1x SEM 93 and 1x SEM 90 VHF radios along with an 800 m (2,600 ft) field telephone cable drum, for either fitted at the rear of the vehicle.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a German Leopard 2A6 main battle tank in a mixed European camouflage. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 5-1/4-inches
Width: 2-inches

Release Date: June 2022

Historical Account: "I got Your Six" - The Leopard 2A6 is the latest generation of main battle tank from the family of German Leopard. The Leopard 2 was developed and manufactured by the German Defence Company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann based on the Leopard 2A5 main battle tank. The Leopard 2 was produced for the first time in 1979 and is in service in Austria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain and Turkey. In terms of its usage and deployment, the Leopard 2 is a truly international weapons system. More than 3,000 Leopard 2's currently in service with eleven nations have so far been delivered by KMW as prime contractor.

The Leopard 2 is also produced on an international scale, with co-operation programs under the lead responsibility of KMW proving extremely successful and offering future user countries a guarantee of extensive production work share for their respective domestic industries. The Leopard 2 is the result of consistent further development of German tank technology, starting with the Leopard 1 and based on the experience of international Swedish Leopard 2 Strv 122 MBT users. Hence, the very high availability of the system and its low life cycle costs. With its superior firepower - the result of an optimum combination of firepower, protection, mobility and C3I capabilities - the Leopard 2 is setting standards on a global scale. The Leopard 2 is characterized by its modular design extending all the way to the assembly and component part levels. This, along with the performance reserves, for instance of the suspension and propulsion systems, facilitates modernization and upgrading.