Short History:
In the 1990s sweden was looking for a new tank to replace its aging fleet of tanks (mainly centurions and S-tanks), initially this was to be done by developing their own indigenous tank design strv 2000, however this never came to be.
In 1989 Sweden was allowed to test rented M1A1 and Leo 2A4s which led to a list of requirements being made for a new replacement MBT.
The Swedish Tank trials:
On the basis of these requirements the swedes conducted a number of trails in 1993, the main contenders were: General Dynamics Land Systems M1A2, GIAT industries Leclerc and a improved version of the Leopard 2. This improved version developed under the compat capabability improvement program of the Bundeswehr was known as Leo 2 TVM max (sometimes also refered to as Leopard 2 KWS).
In those trials the Leopard 2 finished first with meeting 91% of the swedish requirments (M1A2 reached 86% and Leclerc 63%).
In January 1994 the Swedish government decided on the Leopard 2 TVM max, with the first Strv 122 being handed over in october 1995 to the FMV and in 1996 the series production began. The production first started in germany but was later outsourced to sweden with the first swedish 122 being delivered in 1998.
Variants in the game:
STRV 122A
This is the standard production version of the STRV 122. In game it is a bit slower than the 2A5 in the german (and now also french) tech tree but makes up for that in having better protection mainly through spall liners and add on armour on the front of the hull and turret roof which makes it one of the best protected Leopards in the game.
Spoiler
STRV 122B PLSS
The B variants main difference to the A variant is the addition of mine protection and a modified hull ammo storage. In game it of course features its fancy extending commanders sight
The B+ variants main difference is the addition of an additional NERA armour package which weighs it down considerably but compared to other add on armour packages in game, also works well to protect you from more lightly armed enemies.
Variants not in game:
STRV 122 C/D
This variant features some upgrades to the internal systems. The main difference between the C and D is the addition of mine protection like on the 122B
Spoiler
STRV 123
A upgraded 122 which will feature the L55A1 gun and the replacement of basically all electronic components which will be delivered around 2026
Every early spall liner vehicles, I mean, the first vehicles to get spall liners has a questionable placement. Which I see for balancement purposes, having to shoot a Leopard 2 two times in the same place is not much, I can’t find the right word for it, good, I guess.
Sweden does not have a license, it has an agreement according to which they can collect them only for their country and army, just like Greece and Spain.
The only country that has a license is Switzerland, it can sell Leo 2A4 to any country, without permission from German companies, unlike the above-mentioned countries
I will say that they really need to fix the commander sight on the 122+, it is starting to get really frustrating having that “hatch cover” take up alot of the space on the screen.
I think we arrived at the conclusion that it will be the L/55A1 gun that the 123 will be getting, but i’m uncertain.
It will also be getting programmable ammunition :)
That is, generally speaking, incorrect. Although the Leopard 2A5 and Strv 122 share a common ancestor (TVM max), they ultimately are not related in the way you’re implying they are:
Leopard 2 KVT > Leopard 2 IVT > Leopard 2 TVM (max/min) > Strv 122(A)
Leopard 2 KVT > Leopard 2 IVT > Leopard 2 TVM (max/min) - > Leopard 2 TVM mod (there might have been a mod 2 as well, but that hasn’t been confirmed so far, I think). > Leopard 2A5
Their shared ancestry ends at the TVM max; from there on they went their separate ways, with Germany constructing an additional test vehicle based on the previously agreed-upon Mannheim configuration by themselves, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
A more correct description would be that Strv 122 is a modified version of a pre-Leopard 2A5 prototype, or that it’s a cousin of the Leopard 2A5, but not that Strv 122 is a modified version of the Leopard 2A5.
no protection for the driver and loader?
Driver not having spall liners is correct as far as I am aware, but the loader should’ve a liner (at least based on the pics from the Leopard 2A7V).
This variant has major upgrades to the fire controll system as well as its thermal sights for both gunner and commander.
The C/D variants do not have upgraded thermals. There is no primary source to confirm that, neither from Germany’s Hensoldt, nor from Sweden’s FMV. The only sources that mention this being a potential (or in case of the latter, done) upgrade, are a blog by SH_MM (dated to 2016), and a website called Fighting-Vehicles (which doesn’t actually cite where they got that information from…).
It’s basically just the designation for an A version that received maintenance parts and replacement parts (the designation C is mostly to keep track of which tank has already gone through the maintenance/ mini upgrade and not get them mixed up).
The biggest change was new radios and communication equipment as well as a new central computer.
The A → C and the B → D with these additions.
To better cope with mines & IEDS, the “redesigned” (it’s really just a reduced in size stowage) has become a thing with the 2A6M in ~2006/7, so no, the Strv 122A would not have it.
Okay 3rd Question, has there been any developments in regards to new ammunition or is the m95 still the most modern shell used by the swedish army?
For the time being it’s just M/95 as there have been no mentions of them acquiring DM83.
