- Yes
- No
To get quickly to the point, this suggestion is a proposal for adding the recently revealed A3 upgrade for the Leopard 2A6, but as a modification to the already in-game Leopard 2A6.
Even before the politically initiated upgrade leading to the 2A7V, a programme to eliminate obsolescence and weak points on the Leopard 2 fleet was initiated in order to ensure its usability and supply, i.e., operational readiness, in the future. The first approach was to introduce modifications of the 2A6M ‘+’ to the 155 Leopard 2A6/2A6A1 and 19 Leopard 2A5 tanks, which were undergoing conversion at the time.
Thus, the majority of the 2A5/2A6/2A6M fleet would be the same again logistically and for training, and operation, but would not have covered further modification need, nor the capability upgrade of the most modern version at the time, the 2A7. In consequence, and on the basis of the Leopard 2A7V, which was being developed then, a new assessment was made.
The new approach was to examine all modifications of the 2A7/2A7V as a possible measure for this programme, and to reduce the number of units to compensate. Accordingly, 51 Leopard 2A6s
and 50 Leopard 2A6Ms (i.e., about one third of the total fleet) will be upgraded under the heading of Maintaining Operational Readiness. No new demands were made other than be “like the 2A7V” whenever possible, so reasonable and economical.
This contract was signed in March 2019, and the first vehicle was handed over in July 2021. According to the delivery schedule, the conversion will be completed in 2025. In contrast to the Leopard 2A7V, the Leopard 2A6A3/2A6MA3 programme exclusively involves conversions for which vehicles have to be withdrawn from the active force. Faster processing would have further reduced the number of tanks available to units, something that would not have been justifiable.
Later on, 17 vehicles of this type would be scheduled for an upgrade to the Leopard 2A7A1 standard which include Trophy APS.
Main differences between the Leopard 2A6 & Leopard 2A6A3 are:
- programmator for firing the DM11 HE-FS round (though, the Bundeswehr is replacing all the older L/55 cannons with the L/55A1, which has the programmator built in as a standard!).
- SPECTUS driver camera (front & rear), with a thermal viewer for night driving.
- ATTICA 3rd generation thermal camera for gunner & commander, mounted in EMES 15A2, and PERI R17A3 sights.
- Additional armour plate for the hull roof; important to note, this plate is designed to deflect & shatter APFSDS (described as shatter plate by Frank Lobitz).
Miscellaneous differences:
- L/55A1 allows for use of more modern APFSDS munitions (such as the recently unveiled DM73 APFSDS, and the upcoming DM83 APFSDS).
- the tank has more boxes, which are always good :)
- rear of the turret looks slightly different.
- EMES received a weather protection just like on the 2A7Vs.
Photos:
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Specifications:
- Crew: 4
- Length: 10.97m
- Width: 3.76m
- Height: 3.03m
- Weight: unknown as of today
- Ground Clearance: 0.45m
- Grade: 60%
- Slope: 30%
- Top speed: 68kph
- Maximum reverse speed: 31kph
- Cannon: Rheinmetall L/55 or L/55A1 with integrated programmator
- Ammunition: DM63 APFSDS, DM73 APFSDS, DM83 APFSDS, DM11 HE-FS programmable
- Engine: MTU MB 873 Ka-501 producing 1500hp at 2600rpm
- Transmission: Renk HSWL 354 with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears (in the game it’s 8 forward and 4 reverse)
Sources:
- Gesamtwerk LEOPARD 2 Entwicklung, Einsatz und alle Varianten des Kampfpanzers Leopard 2 und der Leopard-2-Kampfunterstützungsfahrzeuge - Bundeswehr und International - by Frank Lobitz, Published by Tankograd.
