The Leopard 2A7+ Main Battle Tank battle tank is a further development of the Leopard 2A6 MBT and features enhanced protection and reconnaissance capabilities. It can operate in low intensity conflicts and in high intensity warfare. The Leopard 2A7+ was first shown to the public during the Eurosatory 2010, featuring the label “Developed by KMW ” tested and qualified by German MoD”. The Leopard 2A7+ has been tested by the Bundeswehr under the name UrbOp (urban operations). The system components, optimized to protect the crew, prove thier worth, currently being in use in Afghanistan with NATO’s Partner Canada.
The Leopard 2A7+ is designed to operate both in low intensity and high intensity conflicts. The tank’s protection has been increased by modular armour; the frontal protection has been improved with a dual-kit on the turret and hull front, while 360° protection against RPGs and mine protection increase the survivability of the tank in urban operations. The modular armour’s system components were first used by Canada in Afghanistan. It can fire programmable HE munitions and the turret mounted MG3 has been replaced with a stabilised FLW 200 remotely controlled weapon station. The mobility, sustainability and situational awareness have also been improved.
The battle tank has a length of around 10.97m, width up to 4m and a turret roof height of 2.64m. The vehicle weighs 67,500kg and can be controlled by a crew of four. Its exterior is incorporated with a communication interface to enable interaction between the dismounted soldiers. The Leopard 2A7+ main battle tank is equipped with a FLW 200 modular remote controlled light weapon station that provides active self defence from a variety of targets. The weapon system features automatic vehicle detection capability and optoelectronic equipment. It has a high elevation aiming angle from -15° to 70°. The MBT’s primary weapon is a 120mm L55 / L44 smooth bore gun, which can fire standard Nato ammunition and new programmable 120mm HE-rounds. The tank can also be integrated with a 7.62mm machine gun and 40mm grenade launchers or .50 machine gun.
The commander’s station of the Leopard 2A7+ MBT incorporates a new PERI RTWL stabilised glass optical periscope for day and night reconnaissance over long distances. The periscope consists of a third-generation Attica thermal imaging device, a daylight CCD camera, an image fusion function, fibre optical gyros, and an eye-safe laser range-finder. The Leopard 2A7+ main battle tank is equipped with a modular protection kit with passive armour modules to offer 360° protection to the crew from anti-tank missiles, mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire. The tank is fitted with a mine plough, mine roller or a dozer blade for clearing mines and obstacles.
