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Leopard 2A7DK
Hello everyone, today I would like to present the Danish Leopard 2A7DK.
The Leopard 2A7DK is the most modern and capable main battle tank currently in service with the Royal Danish Army. It represents a comprehensive upgrade of Denmark’s Leopard 2A5DK fleet, bringing enhanced protection, improved electronics, and significantly increased survivability for modern high-intensity and urban combat environments.
As a national variant of the Leopard 2A7 family (closely related to the Leopard 2A7V), the Leopard 2A7DK combines proven Leopard 2 design principles with modern battlefield requirements, making it a highly relevant and balanced addition to War Thunder’s top-tier ground forces.
History & Development
Denmark has been a long-time operator of the Leopard 2 main battle tank, originally receiving ex-German Leopard 2A4s in the late 1990s. These were later upgraded to the Leopard 2A5DK configuration, which served as the backbone of the Danish Army’s armored force for nearly two decades.
In response to changing operational needs and modern threats, the Danish Ministry of Defence launched a major modernization program in the late 2010s. Rather than purchasing entirely new tanks, Denmark opted to upgrade its existing 2A5DK fleet in cooperation with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), bringing them up to the Leopard 2A7DK standard.
The Leopard 2A7DK incorporates lessons learned from international operations such as in Afghanistan and integrates a wide range of improvements in protection, fire control, communications, and survivability. Deliveries of the first upgraded tanks began in 2020, with full operational capability reached by the end of 2023. In total, 44 tanks were upgraded and delivered to the Jydske Dragonregiment, forming the core armored element of Denmark’s 2nd Brigade under NATO readiness.
While closely related to the German Leopard 2A7V, the Danish 2A7DK includes several national-specific modifications, such as integration with the Danish Army Tactical Communication System (HTK), the use of Saab Barracuda thermal camouflage, and unique stowage and protection elements adapted for Danish operational doctrine.
Here is a list of upgrades from the book : Denmark’s Leopard 2A7DK by Thomas Antonsen
Major external features
- Thermal imaging cameras for both gunner and commander
– Hensoldt Optronics ATTICA third-generation thermal imager, integrated with the PERI R17A3 periscope in the Commander’s Observation Module (COM). - Combined Air Conditioning Unit (ACU) for turret and hull, including an integrated CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) protection system, mounted in the rear turret box.
- New Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) installed in the rear hull.
- KMW-produced improved protection kit providing enhanced protection against mines and IEDs.
- Driver’s periscopes identical to those used on the Leopard 2A5; prepared for future replacement with an integrated thermal periscope.
- 120 mm Rheinmetall L/55A1 main gun, enabling the use of modern APFSDS ammunition with muzzle velocities exceeding 1800 m/s.
- New toolbox mounted on the front of the hull.
- Structural fixtures prepared for a future hull armor upgrade.
- Multiple new stowage boxes mounted on the turret.
- New stowage platforms on the rear hull.
- New recovery frame fitted to the rear of the vehicle.
- Additional stowage boxes mounted on the upper rear hull.
- New antennas supporting upgraded radio systems and integration of the Army Tactical Communication Network (HTK).
- Digital connection box located behind the commander’s position.
- Defence Service Tracks – Model FTZ, designed to support the increased combat weight.
Other external features (vehicle prepared, not necessarily fitted)
- Preparation for RPG protection, using the same solution as seen on the Danish Wisent Armoured Recovery Vehicle.
- Preparation for Saab Barracuda thermal camouflage mats (Swedish-developed system, uniquely integrated on the Danish configuration).
Internal features
- Digital infrastructure known as the “New Operating Concept”, enabling integration of the Army Tactical Communication Network (Hærens Taktiske Kommunikationsnetværk – HTK).
- Strengthened hull structure to handle the increased weight of the upgraded vehicle.
- Separate internal ACU unit installed inside the hull.
Armament
Primary armament:
- 1 × 120 mm Rheinmetall L/55A1 smoothbore cannon
- Fully stabilized
- Compatible with standard NATO 120 mm ammunition
- Ammunition stowage: approximately 42 rounds
Secondary armament:
- 2 × 7.62 mm machine guns
- 1 coaxial
- 1 roof-mounted (can be removed)
Protection & Survivability
The Leopard 2A7DK features significant improvements in protection compared to the earlier Leopard 2A5DK, informed by operational experience from modern conflicts.
Key improvements include:
- Upgraded modular composite armor on turret and hull
- Improved protection against kinetic energy (KE) and chemical energy (CE) threats
- Enhanced resistance against mines, IEDs, and anti-tank weapons
- Improved internal survivability and crew protection
- Integrated CBRN protection system
These enhancements significantly increase survivability in both conventional and asymmetric combat scenarios.
Systems & Sights
Commander sight:
- Independent panoramic sight (PERI R17A3)
- Third-generation thermal imaging
- Day and night combat capability
Gunner sight:
- Primary stabilized sight
- Third-generation thermal imaging
- Integrated laser rangefinder
Fire control & electronics:
- Fully modernized fire control system
- Improved target acquisition and engagement accuracy
- Extensive digitalization of vehicle systems
- Integrated battlefield communication and networking (HTK)
- Modern driver camera system for day and night operations
Mobility
- Engine: MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel engine
- Power output: approximately 1,500 hp
- Maximum speed: up to 60 km/h
- Excellent cross-country mobility despite increased combat weight
Technical Data
- Crew: 4
- Combat weight: approximately 68 tons
- Engine power: 1,500 hp
- Drive: tracked
In-Game
Nation: Sweden (Nordic tree)
As Denmark is part of the Nordic cooperation, the Leopard 2A7DK would logically be placed in the Swedish tech tree, which already represents Nordic armored forces in War Thunder. This follows the same design philosophy used for other Nordic vehicles within the tree.
The Leopard 2A7DK would fit naturally alongside Swedish Leopard-based vehicles, such as the Stridsvagn 122 series, which already represents a nationally modified Leopard 2 with enhanced protection and survivability. Like the Strv 122, the Leopard 2A7DK is not a simple copy of an existing variant, but a national configuration adapted to specific operational requirements.
While not a Danish-developed system, the Leopard 2A7DK makes use of the Saab Barracuda camouflage system, a Swedish-developed solution that is uniquely integrated on the Danish 2A7DK configuration.
saab barracuda camouflage system
Sources
- Danish Ministry of Defence – Leopard 2A7
- Danish Ministry of Defence – Leopard 2A7 factsheet and modernization overview
* Army Recognition (2019): Denmark and Germany to receive latest KMW Leopard 2A7 MBT
* MilitaryLeak (2020): Royal Danish Army receives first Leopard 2A7 main battle tank
* MilitaryLeak (2023): Royal Danish Army takes delivery of final upgraded Leopard 2A7DK
* Army Guide – Leopard 2A7 overview - Antonsen, Thomas – Denmark’s Leopard 2A7DK