Leopard 2 A4 main battle tank

The Leopard 2 was developed from the failed project "Kampfpanzer 70" (1963 - 1969). Building on the lessons learned from this and other projects, the first Leopard 2 was delivered in 1979.

Unlike the Leopard 1, the Leopard 2 combined significantly stronger armor with a larger and more powerful gun, without sacrificing the mobility typical of the Leopard 1 versions. The vehicle was and is considered by many experts to be either the best current battle tank or at least one of the best battle tanks in the world. It is an export hit that was or is still used in no fewer than 18 armies.

The Leopard 2 was continuously developed during production and delivered in ever newer versions (Leopard 2 A1 to Leopard 2 A4). The vehicle on display is a Leopard 2 A4. The A4s were the last Leopard 2s delivered to the German Army until 1992.

Modern versions (2 A5, 2 A6, 2 A6 M, 2 A7) are recognizable by the wedge-shaped armor on the turret, which gives the tank a completely different look. The Leopard 2 in the A4 version shown here was used in the Augustdorf tank battalions from 1983 to 2002.