Leopard 2A4M CAN: The Maple Leaf Leopard

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Leopard 2A4M: The Maple Leaf Leopard

A Canadian Leopard 2A4M with applique armor applied to the frontal arc, roof top, turret sides, and side skirts. Cage armor and desert camouflage netting as well.

  • Background :
    • The Canadian Leopard 2A4M is a modernized Leopard 2A4 serving within the Canadian Army. After realizing the C2 Leopard tank was not suited for the conditions in Afghanistan, requested from the German government 20 Leopard 2A6’s, upgraded to the M version for increased mine protection, to counter growing threats from IED’s and the urban environment. After using the Leopard 2A6’s, the Canadian government decided in 2009 to purchase 80 Leopard 2A4’s from the Royal Netherland Army and upgrade 20 of them, through KMW, to modern standards. This led to the creation of the Leopard 2A4M variant. Entering service in 2010, the Canadian Leopard 2A4M is the cornerstone of Canadian armor deployments. The first deployment occurred in October of 2010 when 5 Leopard 2A4M’s were deployed to Afghanistan to conduct peacekeeping operations. These 5 were soon returned to Canada in 2011.
    • " Mine protection was enhanced with belly armor under the forward hull to protect the crew. Other modifications included an all-electric digital turret, a digital central logic/main distribution system, a new commander system control unit, enhanced brakes, an upgraded suspension and driver viewing aids. Environmental enhancements included chilled cooling vests for the crew and new camouflage nets." Canadian Leopard 2A4M CAN Photo Album
  • Armament :
    • The Leopard 2A4M is armed with a Rheinmetall 120mm L/44 gun, the same gun, found on other Leopard 2 variants. The Leopard 2A4M was originally supposed to be up-gunned to the Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 gun, however, after reviewing results in Afghanistan, decided the L/44 was sufficient for mission requirements. The L/44 gun has an elevation of -9 to +20 degrees and can also carry 42 rounds, 15 stored in the turret bustle in ready storage and the rest stored in the hull. The Leopard 2A4M also has two C6 7.62mm machine guns, one mounted coaxially to the main gun and one located on the top of the roof. There are 4,750 7.62mm rounds stored in the hull. The gunner utilizes a thermal sight for targeting. The Leopard 2A4M primarily fires the following ammunition:
      • DM53 – APFSDS
        • The DM53 is an Armor Piercing Finned Stabilized Discarding Sabot round that was developed by
          Germany to counter newer generations of armored vehicles.
        • The DM53, utilizing a L/44 gun, is capable of penetrating ~626mm at point blank, ~606mm at 1km, and ~585 at 2km (updated thanks to senzawa).
        • The DM53 has a muzzle velocity of 1670m/s from the L/44 gun.
        • This round was provided by the Royal Netherland Army during equipment transfer.
      • DM12A1 – HEAT-MP-T
        • The DM12A1 is a High Explosive Anti-Tank – Multi Purpose – Tracer round is a chemical based warhead designed to counter armor and personnel threats.
        • The DM12A1’s warhead is made to increase fragmentation capability against threats vs. the standard DM12.
        • The DM12A1 is capable of 480mm penetration vs. RHS at any distance.
        • The DM12A1 has a muzzle velocity of 1140m/s from the L/44 gun.
  • Armor :
    • One of the most major additions to this variant of Leopard 2 is the armor. The Leopard 2A4M is upgraded with multiple segments of modular applique armor, added to the turret, frontal arc, side skirts, roof top, and chassis to increase survivability against IED’s and threats in urban environments. This armor is made of Steel, Tungsten, Modular, and Composite armor segments. Also added is Slat armor, covering the rear transmission, engine exhaust and the turret rear to protect against other types of munitions. Underneath the applique armor is the same composite armor found on Leopard 2A4’s. Cage armor can be applied around the engine compartment and turret for protection against HEAT-shaped charges. The Leopard 2A4M applique/external armor is estimated with the following values (these values are speculation and are based on the similarity of the Leopard 2A5/2A6 and 2A7’s composite armor, which is made of the similar materials, and limited availability due to being Canadian state secrets):
      • Turret Sides/Side Skirts/Upper Glacis:
        • Estimated around 150-200mm vs. KE rounds.
        • Estimated around 275-325mm vs. Chemical rounds.
      • Turret Cheeks:
        • Estimated around 750-900mm vs. Kinetic Energy rounds.
        • Estimated around 1,000-1,250mm vs. Chemical rounds.
      • Gun Mantlet:
        • Estimated around 200-300mm vs. Kinetic Energy rounds.
        • Estimated around 400-500mm vs. Chemical rounds.
      • Bottom of Hull:
        • Unknown.
  • Dimensions :
    • Length: 9.61m w/ Gun forward (7.74m for Hull only)
    • Width: 4.05m
    • Height: 3.00m
    • Weight: 62.5t
  • Crew (4x):
    • Commander
    • Gunner
    • Driver
    • Loader
  • Engine :
    • The Leopard 2A4M uses the same engine found on the Leopard 2A4 which is the MTU MB-873 Ka-501 diesel engine that generates 1,500 hp. This is coupled to the RENK HSWL 354 transmission which is capable of 4 speed forward/2 reverse. The Leopard 2A4M has an overall weight of 62,500kg and can reach a top road speed of 72 km/h.
  • Features :
    • Laser Rangefinder.
    • x16 76mm Smoke Grenade Launchers.
    • R-17A4 ATTICA 3rd-Generation Panoramic Thermal Sight by Hensoldt for the Commander, this was added around 2014, replacing the PERI 17A1 Commander Sight.
    • EMES 15 1st-Generation standard 2A4 Gunner Thermal Sight (The Canadian Army replaced the Gunner Thermal Sights on the 2A6M with 3rd-Generation Hensoldt Sights but no plans to upgrade the 2A4M Gunner Sights at this time). 4x/12x magnification.
    • Night vision periscopes for the Driver.
  • In-Game :
    • This vehicle, along with the 2A6M CAN posted in the same forums, would complement each other very well whatever tree it’s implemented in.
    • This vehicle has similar armor attributes to Strv 122A/B making it very different from the Leopard 2A4 and could very easily carry itself in high tier matches.
    • Likely would fit well in either the German or British Ground Forces Trees.
  • Sources :

Imagery

Spoiler

Leopard-2A4M-CAN.jpg

A closeup of the Leopard 2A4M CAN.

tmZPMujpiDhsJRImV6Pd8h230QSrA4X15cWANKUY

Unique paint scheme for the Leopard 2A4M CAN.

17047324859_9db1385115_b.jpg

The Leopard 2A4M CAN with camouflage netting.

How does the Abrams' APFSDs round has the same penetration as the Leopard gun despite it having a longer and a more modern gun? - Quora

A German DM53 APFSDS-T round compared with the American M829A3 APFSDS-T round.

Canadian Army - Leopard 2A4M CAN Main Battle Tanks Live Firing + On The Move [720p] - YouTube

Video of the Leopard 2A4M CAN firing and maneuvering.

1 Like
List of Previously Suggested Ideas - Other Nations Ground Forces
Canadian Ground Forces Tech Tree
#2

Just for clearification i would prob seperate the upper glacis armour value from the side armour values. Just to avoid misunderstanding. Otherwise i would say ive been waiting for this vehicle for years lol.