By the end of 2023, Kyivs forces had retaken only a fraction of Russian-occupied ground.
The Leopard 2 has proven to be an extremely potent MBT, easily among the finest of its generation.
It has been noted for offering a unique blend of firepower, protection and mobility.
The current Leopard 2 main battle tank is the culmination of decades of German armored warfare study and experience. Pictured is a Leopard 2A7V. Image: Image: Michel Baldus/Bundeswehr
However, the partnership ended shortly after as the three nations sought different needs.
The Leopard 1 proved to be rather more substantial than the original concept had envisaged.
The Leopard 1 went through a series of evolutions, with some 4,200 MBTs produced in all models.
A German Leopard 2A6 tank fires at its target during the Strong Europe Tank Challenge in 2017. The event is co-hosted by U.S. and German armies. Image: Spc. Nathanael Mercado/U.S. Army
In addition, its chassis was employed in ARVs (armored reconnaissance vehicles) and the Gepard anti-aircraft tank.
As had occurred with the Leopard 1, West Germany went on to independently develop its successor.
At around 55 tonnes, the Leopard 2 was considerably heavier but not that much bigger.
Shown here is a West German Leopard 1 tank during a 1968 NATO training exercise in the Netherlands. Image: Dutch National Archives
The engine and transmission were located at the rear of the hull.
The rest of the running gear was nearly identical to that of the Leopard 1.
In addition, another MG3 was installed on the loader hatch for use in an anti-aircraft role.
Many people believe the Leopard 2 series of tanks to be the best modern MBTs in the world. Shown is a Leopard 2A7. Image: KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS)
According to German military sources, nearly all of the previous models were upgraded to the 2A4 standard.
Development has continued enough that the newest variants are essentially a generational leap forward in capabilities.
Denmarks tank unit also earned high praise from other NATO partners.
A German Leopard 2A6 tank moves into firing position during a combined live fire exercise at Bemowo Piskie, Poland in 2023. Image: Sgt. Lianne M. Hirano/U.S. Army
Despite the losses, the Leopard 2 has proven to be a capable MBT in the ongoing fighting.
A German Leopard 2A6 from 3rd Panzer Battalion fires its main gun during the shoot-off of Strong Europe Tank Challenge in 2018. Image: Kevin S. Abel/U.S. Army
The Leopard 2A5, shown here, had a much shorter main gun than the more recent models. Image: KNDS
Polish soldiers prepare their Leopard 2A4 tank prior to training during Operation Atlantic Resolve, a NATO exercise. Visible is the MG3 machine gun. Image: Sgt. Justin Geiger/U.S. Army
The Leopard 2 A7V has a 120mm smoothbore gun with a hardened barrel intended to be used to fire future, modern extended-range ammunition. Image: Bundeswehr/Michel Baldus
A German Leopard 2 during NATO exercise Noble Jump 23 at Camp Capo Teulada, Italy. Image: OR-2 Synne Nilsson, NOR-A/NATO
Shrouded in camouflage netting, a German Leopard 2 A7 operates at full speed on the training grounds in Munster. Image: KNDS
German soldiers in their German Leopard 2A6 tank train with the U.S. 4th Infantry Division in Poland during a NATO exercise. Image: Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Foster
