- Yes
- No
Overview
The Leopard 2A1 was an early model of the Leopard 2 entering service in 1982. The second production Leopard 2 model, it differed from the 2A0 only in the fitting of thermal sights (the first German tank with this feature) and a redesigned fuel system. It is very similar to the Leopard 2A4, except with thinner turret armour as seen on the premium Leopard 2AV. With 750 produced and 380 2A0s converted (designated 2A2s), the 2A1 was the second-most produced Leopard 2 model after the 2A4.
History
Leopard Development
Development of the Leopard 2 began in 1970, following the failed KPZ-70 program between Germany and the US. Receiving the name Leopard 2 in 1971, this program would use many of the components and technologies of the KPZ-70, though was also much simpler with the hydropneumatic suspension and 152mm gun-launcher replaced by more conventional torsion-bar suspension and a 105 or 120mm cannon. 17 prototypes were produced to test different suspension, armament, and propulsion configurations, these being designated the Leopard 2Ks. Testing of the 2Ks was conducted in 1973-74 and the vehicles performed well, though it was clear that the initial weight limit of 50 tonnes was unachievable. Experience of the 1973 Yom Kippur War showed that a vehicle’s armour was much more significant than previously thought, so the weight limit was brought up to 60 tonnes with the extra weight allowance being primarily dedicated to improving the vehicle’s protection.
At this time, the United States was also looking for a new tank to replace their half of the MBT-70 program, and the Leopard looked promising. For this, the Leopard 2AV was developed as a simplified version of the Leopard 2, though incorporating the armour upgrades specified in 1973’s MLC-60 requirements. While the 120mm L44 had been selected for the German Leopard at this point, the US wanted to continue using 105mm cannons so the 2AV was fitted with the L7A3. The Leopard 2AV competed with the American XM-1 in extensive trials at Aberdeen in 1976-1977 and proved superior in many ways. However, the XM-1 was still selected for production because it was a domestic product.
The Leopard 2AV would form the basis for future Leopard 2 development, with the design seeing further refinement particularly to the propulsion and the hull design. The 120mm gun was also returned.
Production Leopards
The Leopard 2 would enter service in late 1979. The first batch of 380 Leopards 2s were produce between 1979 and 1982 and would later be designated as the Leopard 2A0 once later modifications were produced. The first of these modifications was of course the Leopard 2A1. The EMES-15 thermal sight of the Leopard was not yet ready when the 2A0 entered service and was instead introduced on the 2A1, replacing the previous PZB-200 LLTV system. Beyond that, the ammunition racks were modified to be identical to those of the M1 Abrams and the fuel filters were modified. But otherwise, the 2A1 was a rather minor upgrade. The second batch of 450 Leopard 2s were produced from 1982-1983, followed by another batch of 300 in 1983-1984. Between 1984 and 1987, the 2A0s were retrofitted with the upgrades of the 2A1, these being designated Leopard 2A2s. The final “early” Leopard 2 model was the Leopard 2A3 with new radios.
The first truly major upgrade to the Leopard 2 was the familiar 2A4. The 2A4 introduced a new composite array for the turret, improving protection. The FCS was also improved and analog systems were replaced by digital ones. The 2A4 was by far the most successful Leopard 2 variant, with over 1,800 produced between 1985 and 1992 and all existing Leopard 2s brought up to 2A4 standard by 1994. It was also the first model to be exported, seeing service in over a dozen countries.
Service
As the Leopard 2A1 was never exported, and the Leopard’s combat debut was in the late 90s, well after the introduction of the 2A5 let alone the 2A4, the Leopard 2A1 never saw combat. Nonetheless it was the main Leopard 2 variant in German service through the 80s until being overtaken by the 2A4.
Specifications
General
Mass: 55.15 tonnes
Length, gun forward: 9.67m
Length, gun excluded: 7.72m
Width: 3.68m
Height: 2.76m
Mobility
MTU MB 873 Ka-501 V-12 diesel engine
1,500hp (gross)
8 forward gears, 4 reverse
69/31km/h in forward/reverse
55.15tonnes
27.20hp/tonne
Armour
Extensive use of composite and spaced armour for high KE and CE protection
(pretty much 2AV turret on 2A4 hull)
Armament
120mm L44
Twin-plane stabilization
15 rounds in turret blowout ready-rack, 27 rounds in hull rack
360 degree traverse, 40deg/s
-9/+20 degree elevation
Max 10RPM (6s reload)
DM12 HEAT-FS
DM13 APFSDS
DM23 APFSDS
7.62mm MG3A1, coaxial
23x200 rounds
7.62mm MG3A1, cupola-mounted
10x200 rounds
The Leopard 2A1 in-game
The Leopard 2A1 would behave very similarly to the 2A4, though with less armour. Alternatively, it can be seen as a tech tree counterpart to the very similar 2AV. Either way, it’d be great for a BR 10.0 bridge gap between the 1A5 and 2A4. While there isn’t necessarily a huge BR gap between the 2K and 2A4, the 2A1 as a representative of the first generation of Leopard 2s would be great for historical significance reasons.
Gallery
Expand
The Leopard 2A0 is easily identified by the massive PZB-200 NVD above the mantlet
The 2A1 and 2A2 are identical and visually indistinguishable
The Leopard 2A3 and onwards can only be visually distinguished by the antenna mount. But that’s such a small difference it’s too difficult to identify in most photos so my apolocheese if many pics are of 2A3s or 2A4s.
Later 2A4 blocks can be identified by the lack of loading hatch on the left turret side and the additional hull side armour, but the first 2A4 batch as well as refitted 2A0-3s lacked these distinctions as seen in-game
Bath time :3
Sources
West German cold war KMW Leopard 2 MBT (1978 (tank-afv.com)
The German Leopard 2 Tank - TankNutDave.com