At least acording to wikipedia (i know, not the greatest source, but its the only one i have at the moment) the Leopard 2A7 “involves former Dutch A6NL models returned by Canada to Germany […] The original upgrade to A6M has been extended in coordination with Canada and includes a crew-compartment cooling-system from the Leopard 2 A6M-HEL series, a new 20 kW auxiliary power unit based on the Steyr Motors M12 TCA UI engine, the Saab Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) with Heat-Transfer Reduction (HTR CoolCam) system, a field trial proven combat management and information system (IFIS: Integriertes Führungs- und Informationssystem ), onboard network optimization with ultracapacitors in the chassis and turret, a SOTAS IP digital intercom system, a renewal of the fire suppression system in the crew compartment, and the retrofitting of Attica thermal imaging module in the commander optics.”
The Leopard 2A6M " is a version of the 2A6 with enhanced mine protection under the chassis, and internal enhancements to improve crew survivability."
and it being the Canadian version mentioned above it would also include:
“The Leopard 2A6M CAN is a Canadian variant of the Leopard 2A6M. Significant modifications include distinctive black boxes mounted on the rear of the turret bustle and stand-off slat armour.”
so I understand this as the variant of 2A6 that got upgraded to 2A7 Has the same Improved mine protection and improved hull armour that the 122B+ has.
That does not make any sense.
The Canadian version of 2A6M has the extra armour and if that is the one they used to upgrade to the 2A7 then why would the 2a7 not have that armor?
Videos of the Canadian 2A6M in Afganistan:
its a mixed bag in the video. it seems like many (but not all) of the tanks has the extra side armor, and some seem to have the front armor as well.
(i also just realized that we might be talking about different parts of the armor, i’m talking about the underbelly and sides on the 122B+ and 2A7. I’m extremally uncertain if the 2A7 ever got the frontal armor even though it seems like some of the Canadian versions in the video has it.)
Edit:
From what i can find after searching a bit more is that the only difference between the 2A7 and the 2A7V is the front armor addon and a better axillary power unit.
Canadian Leopard 2s use Light Add-On armour, it’s not in the same grade of protection as MEXAS-H on the Strv 122.
Normal Leopard 2A7s never had add-on armour either way, so basing it off what a foreign variant is using is worthless (especially when said foreign variant is a Leopard 2A6).
Mine protection is also completely worthless in the game, no point in mentioning that.
I did not know this, thanks for enlightening me :)
Not added on top of the 2A6M, but added on top of the base 2A6.
i’m comparing it to the foreign variant (the Canadian 2A6M) because that is what Germany used to upgrade further to 2A7. at least according to Wikipedia. and knowing Wiki they (and thus me) might be wrong.
i’m just writing out the information i’m reading.
(i actually think Wikipedia is interchangeably using 2A7 and 2A7V it seems like… i think you are correct here, the 2A7V is the tank i’m thinking of and are referring to. so the 123A would be the equivalent of the 2A7V then.)
Edit: adding the base 2A7 instead of the 2A7V would, in my personal opinion, be pointless since the upgrades compared to the 2A6 would then only be:
-Belly mine protection, Barracuda, Aux power and thermals.
It would be doing the same thing as when they added the 122B, the only difference between the 122A and 122B is belly mine protection and a periscope…
Strv 123 isn’t getting “re-geared” like the 2A7V, and the engine isn’t being prepared for an uprate to 1630hp afaik, so it would ‘stay overweight’ whereas 2A7V sacrifaces a bit of its top speed for an increase in acceleration (which imo is more important), and it can be given more power at any point, thus increasing its advantage in acceleration even further.
It’s not yet know whether the Swedes are going with the L/55 or L/55A1, but if its the former, they won’t be able to use the most up do date APFSDS projectiles like M829A4 or DM73 & DM83, meaning Strv 123A would be significantly worse at tank dueling.
It also ain’t getting the APU (and if they model those, 2A7V could operate completely silently, basically staying invisible to thermals).
As far as I know they’re also not replacing the internal armour like they did on the Leopard 2A7V, so it woulda actually be worse armoured.
There’s a few more differences, but overall - the Strv 123A as of now feels like more the MLU upgrade that brings it to Leopard 2E or Leopard 2HEL standards, but not to Leopard 2A7V standards.
their always still is the possibility, it is just always a question of possibility like thodin mentioned already, since sweden and germany arent officialy allied they might have restriction on what they officialy order/upgrade
i don’t see them choosing the base L/55 when all of the 2A7 tanks has been fitted with the new L/55A1 and the pressrelease from Sweden’s defence force say to make it “equal to the other modern Leopard 2’s”. but you are correct, we actually don’t know. (But i feel like choosing the older variant of the gun would be outright stupid x) )
Correct, but i think this will have negligible impact on gameplay if they introduce the Barracuda armor. you can already as it is almost not hear tanks that stand still in game.
This depends, during the upgrade from 122A to 122B they also made “several internal changes” to achieve “satisfactory protection” (source: http://www.ointres.se/2011-03-18_pansar_strv122b.pdf). but what those are and what they mean we don’t know. But i would venture a guess that they are the same that Canada did when they upgraded 2A6 to 2A6M.
the 123A would also have extra mine protection, better thermals and the Barracuda system compared to the 2E. (and would that not make it a 2A7V (with worse engine and APU) if we just look at the upgrades that matter in game?)
It looks like they’re talking about the Strv 122B+ there. The “normal” 122B is just an 122A with a mine-plate.
But i would venture a guess that they are the same that Canada did when they upgraded 2A6 to 2A6M.
This would mean the removal of the lowest row of ammunition in the hull rack and a new FP system designed to prevent ammunition fires + some spall liners on the inside of the turret basket.
That is not correct. the first part of the document talks about history and the part i quoted is about the 122B. if you can read Swedish then the bottom two paragrafs in the middle column on the first page are of interest to the 122B. the 122B+ is talked about from the last paragraf of the right column on the first page and onwards.
sounds about right, but as i stated, its just a guess from me and the Swedish military is known for saying as little as possible (“en svensk tiger”).
And it’s talking about “satisfactory mine protection”. So yes, it is exactly the same as what they did on the 2A6M CAN - and nothing to do with the tank’s composite.
correct.
does the Leopard 2A7V get extra internal armour above this 2A6—>2A6M upgrade?
Because what you quoted is discussing the internal changes specifically.
A bit of an update and compilation so far:
Leopard:
The 2A5 —> 2A6 upgrade is basically only the L/44 — > L/55 gun upgrade
The 2A6 —> 2A6M upgrade is mine protection and might even include some external armor used by Canada in Afghanistan (source: Product Information | KMW)
The 2A6M —> 2A7V is the upgrade of: internal systems, Barracuda camo, same external armor used by Canadas 2A6M in Afghanistan (put onto non upgraded 2A7), better thermals/night vision, upgraded L/55A1 gun with programmable ammo and better APU.
Strv:
122A: is a Leopard 2A5 with upgraded armor.
122B: Added Mine protection in the same manor as the 2A6M (both internally and externally) and Barracuda camo.
122B+ (only a technical demonstrator!): added more external armor.
123A: adds the L/55 gun (original or A1 variant unknown, but they mention programmable ammo, anyone know if both L/55 and L/55A1 can use programmable?), new night sights (and or thermals, it seems a bit unclear) and internal electrical components to make it equivalent to “other modern Leopard 2’s”
so the main differences i can see between the strv 123A and the Leopard 2A7V is the engine, APU and remote controlled weapon station.
anyone see any more differences?
Edit, removed RWS turret from 2A7V after more information was given.
