The Spanish Army is ready to implement a major refurbishment program for its Leopard 2E tank fleet. These tanks are comparable to modified Leopard 2A6 vehicles and have been in service in Spain for over 15 years.
Currently, there are no concrete modernization plans for these military vehicles. Several viable options are being considered, including the implementation of dynamic protection units and the integration of remotely operated combat modules.
Funding is also an important factor that has not yet been determined. The total cost of this upgrade program is unknown, and the sufficiency of Spain’s defense budget to cover it remains uncertain. Despite these uncertainties, the Spanish military is hopeful that, with sufficient funding, he can begin upgrading the Leopard 2E tank as early as 2024.
Spanish military experts are also considering other features of the future modernization strategy. This includes the possibility of replacing the existing his 120 mm gun with a more advanced model, an increase in reserves, a complete improvement of onboard electronics to enhance the situational awareness of the crew, etc. .
A new role in Spanish industry
What’s interesting is that this time the Spanish military seems to have a mission. They want their home industry to take the lead when it comes to overhauling the Leopard 2E. You may remember that the last time the Leopard 2E was produced for the Spanish military, it was developed in collaboration with German powerhouse KMW and Spain’s own GDELS.
There is speculation that this effort to update Spain’s Leopard 2E tanks will form part of a broader vision to overhaul the Spanish army by 2035. The catalyst that is likely to set things in motion is his three-year service contract worth €126 million. Exclusively for the Spanish “Leopard” tank.
If you’re wondering about this number, let me explain a little bit. Currently, the Spanish army has 219 of his Leopard 2E tanks, as well as 16 of his BREM and 4 training vehicles. Approximately 90 Leopard 2A4 tanks are also in active service and a further 43 are safely stored in storage.
About Leopard 2E
The Leopard 2E is a variant of the German main battle tank Leopard 2, tailored specifically for the Spanish Army. This tank is the result of a program initiated by the Spanish government, which included significant technology transfer from Germany in the development and production of his 219 tanks by the Spanish company Santa Barbara Sistemas.
The Leopard 2E is known for its enhanced armor protection. It has a modular composite armor system, allowing the installation of additional armor modules on the turret and hull. This gives the tank excellent protection against anti-tank weapons, mines and improvised explosive devices.
The tank is powered by an MTU MB 873 Ka-501 liquid-cooled V-12 twin-turbo diesel engine that produces 1,500 horsepower. This powerplant allows the Leopard 2E to reach a top speed of 70 km/h on the road and 45 km/h off-road. The tank has a power-to-weight ratio of 24.5 horsepower per ton, giving it excellent maneuverability on a variety of terrain.
Leopard 2E operational range and weapons
The Leopard 2E’s range of operation is truly amazing. With a full tank of fuel, it can travel up to 550 kilometers on paved roads. Additionally, this range can be further expanded by adding an external fuel tank.
This powerful vehicle is equipped with a 120 mm L/44 smoothbore gun and can fire a variety of standard NATO ammunition. Also, instead of one, he has two of his 7.62mm machine guns, one mounted coaxially with the main gun and his other mounted on top of the turret. To enhance its attack capabilities, the Leopard 2E is equipped with an advanced fire control system and state-of-the-art thermal imaging sights, thereby increasing combat efficiency in both day and night scenarios.
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