Leopard 2A4
Leopard 2A4
In 2002 Finland ordered 124 ex-Bundeswehr Leopard 2A4´s wich were delivered
during the summer of 2003. The first conscripts will be trained on the vehicle
from 2005. They will during peacetime be based at the armoured brigade in Parola.
These MBT´s will sustain their original MG3´s which will add another rifle calibre
to the Finnish army. But since these are vehicle-mounted this is obviously not
seen as any logistic nightmare since MBT´s have their own supply channels anyway.
Needless to say, Leopard 2A4 is a considerable improvement over T-72M1 in most
aspects. But it is also much larger and heavier than T-72M1 which is not always
a good thing in Finland, considering in example weak bridges.
- Picture © Finnish Defence Forces
Length: 9.67 m (including main armament)
Width: 3.70 m
Height: 2.48 m
Weight: 55.150 kg
Armour: Spaced, multi-layer (Chobham).
Engine: V12-cylinder 47.600 cm3, 1500 horsepower
Top-speed: 72 km/h.
Electrical system: 24 volt, negative ground.
Fording depth without preparation: 1.2 m
With deep water fording kit: 4.0 m
Fuel type: Multifuel
Fuel capacity: 1160 liters
Range: 550 km
Crew: 4.
Armament: Armed with a 120 mm gun, 42 rounds of 120 mm is carried
Secondary arnament: 2 MG3´s
