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Leopard 2a5 DK
Hello everyone, today I would like to present the Danish Leopard 2a5 DK, an upgrade in almost all aspects compared to the german leopard 2a5. This would strengthen the Swedish top tier and put Denmark into the game alongside the Scandinavian brothers and sisters.
Historical Background
In 1997, the Danish Army purchased 51 surplus Leopard 2A4 Tanks from the German Army reserves to replace the Leopard 1a5 tanks. The reason for buying them was always to later upgrade them to the new Leopard 2a5, and in June 2000, the Danish army signed a contract that would be upgrading the Leopard 2a4 to the Leopard 2a5. The Danish version of the 2a5 however is not the same as the standard German leopard 2a5, as in the 80 and early 90s a lot had been learned from upgrading the Danish leopard 1a3 and a4 to the leopard 1a5, the danish army wanted to put that experience into the new tank that should replace the leopard 1a5, and that tank would later become the leopard 2a5DK.
Firepower
Main Gun Rheinmetall L44 – 120mm, caliber Length 44 smoothbore
Elevation -9 to +20
Ammunition types - Standard Nato
Ammunition types
Secondary Weapons - x1 coaxial 7.62mm MG, x1 7.62mm MG
Ammunition Storage - x42 120mm, x4,750 7.62mm
Mobility
Engine MTU Mb 873 ka 501, turbocharged 1500hp Diesel
Transmission RENK HSWL 354, 4 speed forward/2 reverse
Top Road Speed 68 km/h
Road Range 550km
Fuel Capacity 1160 litres
Vertical Obstacle 1.1m
Water Capability 1m (4m with Snorkel)
Trench Crossing 3m
Dimensions
| Length Gun Forward | 9.67m |
|---|---|
| Length Hull | 7.72m |
| Width | 3.75m (with side front hull armor) |
| Height | 2.48m (rooftop) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Ground Clearance | 0.54m |
| Weight | 59.5 ton |
Specifications
Even though the contract was signed in June 2000, to upgrade the Danish Leopard 2a4 to standard Leopard 2a5, there are still many differences compared to the standard German Leopard 2a5.
- Improvements in the tanks crew stowage possibilities, two new storage bins were installed on the rear wall of the turret. There are four compartments in these two boxes, the right one contains the air-conditioning unit
Spoiler
- The smoke discharger is mounted in a different way, the German one is mounted “four by four” and the Danish discharger is mounted “Six plus two”. Can be fired in either group of four or eight
Spoiler
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The antennae bases are situated between the rear of the turret and the rear turret bins
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Increase survivability of commander ́s integrated sight. The sight was covered in kevlar panels, and a white light projector was installed next to the gunner’s auxiliary sight.
Spoiler
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A box Diemaco C8A1 carbines in front of the commander’s hatch
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Two racks for Diemaco C8A1 carbines on the roof
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The set Beam searchlight next to the gunner’s sighting binoculars on the turret roof
- More protection to the crew, which included the full KWS II, as seen on the Swedish version (Strv 122), but without improving the turret roof’s protection
Spoiler
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An Auxiliary Power Unit(APU) is installed, so you don’t have to keep the main engine running, in order to turn the turret or to use the Fire-Control System(FCS), and also to lessen the acoustic and thermal signature of the vehicle when used. This was installed in the right rear corner of the hull, which made the right rear hull significantly higher and more angular than the hull on the German Leopard 2a5s.
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Small Toolbox situated next to the APU box.
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on the rear hull wall are two flat lids on each side of the convoy light, rather than two boxes found on the German Leopard 2s.
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Attachment of the final(rearmost) of the heavy side skirts is different from the German or Dutch Leopard’s 2s.
Possible modification ingame
mine protection
The Quick Reaction Force(QRF)
In January 2007 a quick Reaction force was established consisting of four(later 16 was put to the QRF standard) LEO 2a5s, this specially modified included:
SAAB Barracuda System
Extra projection to the commander’s sight
Extra projection to the gunner sight
A small turret for the loader is fitted with a 12,7 mm m2 Heavy Machine Gun. On some of the upgraded QRF tanks, this was not put on, since it was in the way of the commander’s sight
Pictures
Conlusion
The Danish Leopard 2a5Dk has more in common with the Leopard 2a6EX, German Leopard 2a6, and the Swedish Swedish STRV 122 than the standard German Leopard 2a5. Some will say it its a Leopard 2a6 just without the L55 cannon. The Danish leopard adds a very unique Leopard to the Leopard Family in War Thunder.
Thank you for the reading :)
Sources
Spoiler
Book
The Danish Leopard 2A5
by Thomas Antonsen
The Danish Leopard 2A5 by Thomas Antonsen | Book
More pictures
