Leopard 2A4CHL - Anti-thermal Leopard

Chilean_Thunder · July 20, 2023, 6:48am

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Leopard 2A4CHL

History:

In 2006, Chile began negotiations with Germany for the purchase of 118 used Leopard 2A4s that were in German reserves. The figure later increased to 140 and later to 172 tanks, although depending on the source consulted, the number can reach up to 186 tanks purchased by Chile. The total price also varies depending on the source, ranging from 88 to 112 million dollars or euros. In 2007, the first tank was delivered to Chile in a ceremony at the KMW facilities in Munich, attended by important figures from both countries. The tanks were then assigned to three armored brigades in northern Chile between 2007 and 2009.

Leopard 2A4CHL fresh from the KMW factory in 2009

The Chilean Leopard 2A4s have a number of modifications by KMW that differentiate them from tanks of the same model. Before being delivered to Chile, KMW took charge of the maintenance and inspection process of the tanks so that they were in optimal conditions. Before being delivered, the following modifications were made: new radios were fitted, the design of the rear part of the turret was modified and all tanks were painted “Amarillo Pampa 1009”. The most important modification was in the engine since these tanks operate at 4,300 meters above sea level in the Atacama Desert where there is very fine sand that suffocates the engines. To solve this, a special kit was installed in the turbochargers that allows these tanks to operate in the Atacama Desert without overheating problems. Due to this series of modifications the tank was called by its manufacturer KMW as Leopard 2A4CHL. Chile also bought some dozer blades to equip its Leopard 2A4CHL.

Modified rear turret area

Leopard 2A4CHL operating at 4300 meters altitude in the Atacama Desert

Leopard 2A4CHL with the dozer blade, a small Chilean flag can be seen on the tank’s antenna

In 2015, a FibroTex package was installed in a Leopard 2A4CHL of the Chilean army. The kit tested was called “multispectral cloak” and was intended to be deployed on mobile and static platforms. The kit does not protect against attack but provides electro-optic mimicry and protection against electromagnetic detection, which helps make the tank much more difficult to detect and therefore not as easily prey to anti-tank missiles or other infrared-guided devices (SWIR) or thermal systems. It is presumed that the Chilean army implemented this kit to deal with the large number of anti-tank missiles that its neighbor Peru has, but since the Chilean army manages its purchases in secret, it cannot be confirmed 100% that they have bought many of these kits but at least 1 prototype has been seen using the fibrotex kit, although this company has been selling to Chile since 2001 this type of camouflage and systems, even so there are images that show that the kit was implemented in Chilean tanks and also on the same official website of the FibroTex company Chilean tanks appear with the kit implemented.

Leopard 2A4 CHL using the multispectral layer

Fibrotex kit in action

Regarding ammunition, the Leopard 2A4CHL uses the HEAT DM 12, IM HE-T, KE DM 33 A2, DM 63 and the Israeli DM322, regarding the last ammunition it is not known for certain if it is specifically that model since in an Instagram video where the Chilean army uploaded a video showing the Leopard 2A4CHL in action, an armor-piercing ammunition with a blue stripe was leaked for a few seconds, so there could be 3 possible models, these being the already mentioned M322, M338 or the MKE MOD 290 produced by Turkey, so the tank could get up to a maximum of 658 mm of penetration, in any case these 3 ammunition have an enormous amount of penetration which makes the Leopard 2A4CHL a lethal tank. In another video from the Chilean army during a tank competition, two Chilean soldiers are seen carrying a round with a blue tip, which appears to be the Israeli M324, which is a practice round, which would further confirm that Chile has Israeli rounds for its Leopard 2A4CHL.

M322, M324, M338 and MKE MOD 290 specifications (Click here)

Leopard 2A4CHL tank loader reloading what appears to be an Israeli M322 or M338 round

Two Chilean soldiers carrying an Israeli M324 practice ammunition

Chilean soldier loading a DM 33 A2 ammunition

Chilean soldier carrying armor-piercing ammunition, it could be a DM 33A2 or a DM 63

The 120mm IM HE-T High Explosive Cartridge provides the armor forces with a devastatingly powerful HE warhead that greatly improves infantry support capability. The IM HE-T will complement the tank’s current main gun ammunition with an Insensitive full-bore HE warhead capable of defeating a target set that includes bunkers, fortifications, light armor and personnel. The two-mode hand-settable fuze allows the tank commander to select a point detonating (PD) function for maximum fragmentation/blast, or a delay function for detonation after target penetration.

Chilean soldiers posing next to a 120mm IM HE-T ammunition from Nammo

Slow Motion Video Showing IM HE-T Hitting Concrete Wall. The one used by the Leopard 2A4 CHL

Specifications:

Crew:
- 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver)
Armament:
- Primary: Rheinmetall 120mm L/44 smoothbore gun
  - HEAT DM 12, IM HE-T, KE DM 33 A2, DM 63, DM322
- Secondary: 7.62 x 51mm Rheinmetall MG-3 coaxial machine gun, 7.62 x 51mm Rheinmetall MG-3 anti-aircraft machine gun and 2 x 76mm Wegmann octuple smoke launchers.
Dimensions:
- Length: 7.72m
- Width: 3,7m
- Height: 2.6m
- Weight: combat weight 55 tons
Maneuverability:
- Engine: MTU MB 873 Ka 501 4 12-cylinder polyfuel that develops a maximum power of 1,500 hp at 2,600 rpm
- Maximum speed: 68 km/h
- Average ground speed: 51km/h
- Power to weight ratio: 27.27 hp/ton
- Transmission: Renk HSWL 354 with four forward and two reverse gears
- Fuel capacity: 1,200 liters
- Autonomy: 550 kilometers
- Slope: 60%
- Side slope: 30%
- Vertical obstacle: 1 meter
- Horizontal obstacle: 3 meters
- Wading capacity: 2.25 meters
- Suspension: torsion bars
Accessories:
- NBC system: yes
- Fire control system: EMES-15 from Atlas Electronics
- Night vision system: WBG-X thermal camera from Carl Zeiss (today Hensoldt)
- Multispectral cloak
- Dozer Blade

Photos:

Sources:

Chilean_Thunder · July 25, 2023, 6:41pm

Update
A few days ago FAMAE (Fabricas y Maestranzas del ejercito de Chile) and Aselsan from Turkey signed an agreement for the update of the Leopard 2A4CHL, At the moment it only mentions modernizing the system of fire control of the Leopard 2A4 and renewed the observation and aiming system of the Marder 1A3, also the internal communications, so we will have to wait for the prototype to be shown and if some type of additional shielding or some other protection system is going to be implemented in the future. I will update this post as I get more information.

TurinTurambar_ · August 22, 2023, 5:31am

+1 I need to see it in germany tech tree or a latam one, whatever option that lets me have a lineup of Leo2a4chl (and the aselsan upgrade) and TAM 2C

un abrazo desde el otro lado de la cordillera hermano!!

Chilean_Thunder · August 22, 2023, 5:53pm

I would also love to see them together, especially in a future Latin American tree together with the Brazilian tanks, let’s hope that the Leo2A4CHL update is good.

Un abrazo también para ti hermano

lLiberté · September 8, 2023, 10:57pm

Although there is no official information, modernisation is certainly going to be just Optics and Electronics. Latest revealed agreement between ASELSAN and an undisclosed foreign customers worths only $124 million ($123.500.000 precisely). I doubt it includes ROKETSAN’s T1 Armor Package for that price. Chile bought approximately 172 Leopard 2A4, if all of them goes through this modernisation, unit cost would be $718.023 which is way too low in all standards.

For reference ASELSAN modernised 134 Turkish ACV-15 for ₺900.000.000 which means per unit costs about ₺671.641 which equals to $113.070 with 2019 exchange rates. Another reference, Leopard 2PL project’s costs was around €704.000.000 for 142 units which means €4.900.000 (something like $5.000.000) per unit. Sure AMAP probably is a lot more expensive than T1 but whopping $4 million difference just too much.

DMYEugen · September 8, 2023, 11:01pm

+1 as part of a Chilean subtree in Israel or some other new tree but a big no for Germany. They have countless of their own Leopard 2 modifications. They don’t need outside help there.

Chilean_Thunder · September 8, 2023, 11:07pm

I understand exactly what you mean and it makes all the sense in the world, but it is most likely that this is an initial budget for the most important modernizations, such as the night vision system, etc. I say this because Aselsan is also going to modernize the Chilean 1A3 marders, so those 124 million dollars is too little for both vehicles. so let’s see what happens in the future.

Chilean_Thunder · September 8, 2023, 11:09pm

My intention has never been for it to go to Germany because, as you say, it has better options, the Chilean tank is for a future Latin American tree or for Israel, since many Chilean tanks were modernized by Israel or use Israeli weapons, so they have a certain relationship with said country.

lLiberté · September 9, 2023, 10:26am

This is a possibility of course, I might have overlook this it. It should be noted, It was all speculation on my part I don’t think value of contract between Chile and ASELSAN directly revealed. I really hope Chilean government will include armor package or at least camouflage from TDU. As I’ve said, we will se once it is revealed.

ASELSAN has great portfolio of equipment for IFV modernizations, it would be interesting to see Marder’s upgraded to PUMA level of firepower with KORHAN.

Chilean_Thunder · September 14, 2023, 6:20pm

Can I ask you a question? You’re from Turkey? Because I would like to know which Turkish sources are the official or most reliable ones.

ChieftainWarrior · September 14, 2023, 6:52pm

I wonder, why do some sources claim they upgraded it to the L/55? Did Chile at one point plan to do that, but then quit? Or is it just very lazy reporting?

Chilean_Thunder · September 14, 2023, 7:19pm

I don’t know, I was also wondering the same thing, but visually you can see that it is an L/44, I guess those means that indicate the other barrel were wrong

lLiberté · September 14, 2023, 7:37pm

Yep, go on.

Well, though official sources are naturally most reliable sources not going to help you that much. Information provided by official sources are generally limited, and you need to scan multiple accounts to find information you need.

Defence Industry Agency (Savunma Sanayii Başkanlığı) is the best official source you can use at the moment and luckily there is both Turkish and English twitter accounts to follow. ROKETSAN’s and ASELSAN’s also have official twitter accounts but their activity is limited.

There I have a few good options.

Defence Turkey is probably the most reliable one, they have good editors with connections. Their news are generally true, also they share insights alongside news. They have both Turkish and English options in their website, but note that content in Turkish and English are not the same, you might need to check both languages and use translate. This is their X account.
Another one is, SavunmaSanayiST. They are also quite reliable, I would as much reliable as previous one. They also got both Turkish and English options in their website and occasional English posts in their X account.
Defence Turk is yet another good option. Similar to previous two, they are also quite reliable and have both Turkish and English options in both their X account and their website.

Defence Turk sometimes comes behind in terms of news, SavunmaSanayiST is probably fastest among them but Defence Turkey provides generally first hand information as well as exclusive news/content time to time. SavunmaSanayiST and Defence Turk are my go to sources for general news while Defence Turk if I want to read more about said news as they provide article level information and their editors provides commentary based on their long experience and knowledge.

There is also ghd Defence, it is in Turkish. Also I’m not really their fan but sometimes they provide news/rumors faster than other sources. Sometimes I give it a look. They also got an X account too. I cannot comment on their reliably since I’m not really following them that much.

You can always reach me through DMs if you need to ask/find anything. Also there are forums to follow but reliability of information are generally questionable.

Chilean_Thunder · September 14, 2023, 11:36pm

The other day I received this information and that is why I was asking about which sources were reliable. It so happens that according to what you told me, in fact, the source would be the most reliable. I am going to describe then the main improvements that will be given to the Leopard 2A4 Chileans according to the Turkish page:

"Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks will be equipped with the latest fire control system, commander and gunner periscopes and driver vision systems. In addition to the fire control system, it is aimed to increase the probability of hitting the mentioned platforms with the first shot with the electric gun and turret power unit developed with domestic and national resources. It is also aimed to increase the operational safety of tank personnel by replacing the hydraulic tower system, which is extremely harmful and flammable for tank personnel.

The PROACO roof project, which emerged by combining 3 separate projects in line with the needs of the Chilean Land Forces in 2019 and was developed in accordance with difficult geographical conditions and desert conditions; It includes the modernization of the Leopard 2A4 platforms, the most striking force of the Chilean Army, the modernization of the Marder 1A3 Armored Infantry Vehicle, and the modernization of the internal communication systems of main battle tanks, howitzers and armored infantry vehicles in the inventory of all armored units."

Apparently, according to what is mentioned, the most critical and primary things will indeed be improved, that would give meaning to the budget of 125 million dollars, but even so, as I mentioned before, it could be an initial budget and in the future add some shielding additional or maybe not, only time will tell

lLiberté · September 15, 2023, 3:07pm

This one is also reliable as far as I can tell, though I do not know who is the editor.

As expected, it is electro-optics and critical mechanical-electrical systems first. For more information you can read ASELSAN’s Leopard 2NG modernisation package. I pretty sure most, if not all, systems will be taken from this project except for the armor package.

I’ve made 2NG suggestion, you can take a quick look if you do not want to bother with reading.

Chilean_Thunder · September 16, 2023, 3:37am

So in theory they should now carry the Volkan-II system?

lLiberté · September 16, 2023, 10:23am

Quite likely, there is not that much option. As far as I’m aware there is only three ASELSAN made fire control system exits; VOLKAN, VOLKAN-M, VOLKAN-II. VOLKAN is outdated by now and superseded by VOLKAN-M. Problem with VOLKAN-II, it is the latest solution offered by ASELSAN and it was designed specially for Altay later adapted to Leopard 2NG. I do not really now if state-of-the-art system would be offered as export solution.

There is also TAKS, New Generation Tank Fire Control System but it is probably evolved to VOLKAN-II.

VOLKAN-M Fire Control System

TAKS, New Generation Tank Fire Control System

Armen_Lozone · September 16, 2023, 10:38am

thats kinda unfair tbh,
the tank itself is german, and regardless of whether or not it was modified by a consortium which included israelis, it remains a leopard which by all right holds more in common with germany than a modifier. i mean… the TAM 2IP was also modified by israel but is in the german TT.
not to hateon the idea itself i love the sleek new coated design. but since there isnt much hope for a LA tree, it should go to germany in order to maintain the origin country’s link.
plus i hate why a nation that never used or produced a whole vehicle gets to have said vehicle.
it takes away the uniqueness of Tech trees

Chilean_Thunder · September 16, 2023, 3:38pm

I understand your point, but as a Chilean I think that the only options that Chile has to see any of its vehicles in the game is in Israel because of the link they have or in a future Latin American tree, I highly doubt that Gaijin will decide on the Chilean leopard before to another option from another nation that may be better to be included in the German tree, I also have to mention that in the old forum I made a Chilean sub tree for Israel that included this tank since it is the best that Chile has for now.

Armen_Lozone · September 16, 2023, 4:13pm

yeah knowing gaijin, they wont be doing something so thoughtful.

well if link is the deciding factor then even by a percentage viewpoint, a leopard has more links to Germany than Israel ever can.

well i cant say anything about Gaijin’s intentions (fat chance of any of my predictions being accurate lol since gaijin logic doesn’t seem to be too consistent either smh) but it seems they’re not so against the idea what with the addition of the Swiss Hunters and Austrian JaPz.K A2 tank thingy and the TAM’s of which the IP is highly modified by Israel. they also added a subpar but interesting nevertheless T-72, C2A1, Class 3P, BMP-1 and other non German army vehicles