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Leopard C2 up armored version (Photo by: Gary Vaillancourt)
The Leopard C1 is similar in shape and equipment with the
German Leopard 1A3 but incorporate some different components,
such as a laser rangefinder and target acquistion sight in
place of an optical stereoscopic rangefinder (aperture on
the left turret side), sidewind sensor on the turret roof,
white light searchlight integrated into the right turret side,
passive image-intensification sight, different secondary armament,
and other internal and external midifications. All original
114 Leopard C1 tanks are built in Canada under licence.
The new armour packages for the C1 (bottom picture on the
right hand) are only provided for the 5 LdSH(RC) Leo C1s in
Kosovo. The armor package shown on the picture above got to
expensive. The number of tanks to be fitted with this armor
package will be reduced.
The second generation of Canadian Leopard tanks was presented
to the Army at CTC Gagetown November 23 2000. The Leopard
C2 sports a new thermal sight and enhanced digital fire control
system upgrade.
The improved operational capability over the old Leopards
is like night and day-literally. The C2 allows operation under
all conditions-day or night, bad weather or good weather.
The new turret will also incorporate the Canadian TCCCS (Tactical
Command, Control and Communication System) as well as IRIS
radios and GPS.
DND purchased 123 surplus Leopard 1A5 tanks from the German
Ministry of Defence in order to put their turrets on the chassis
of 114 Canadian Leopards. The remaining nine turrets will
be used for spare parts, test equipment and training aids
while the contractor will buy back the German chassis.
At a cost of about $139 million, this is the first major
upgrade on the tanks that were purchased in 1978. Swapping
turrets was found to be the most cost-effective way of addressing
the deficiencies of the Canadian Leopard.
The Leopard C2 boasts a much more accurate weapons system;
it can accurately engage targets on the move at twice the
range of the C1. A computer in the tank monitors the target's
range and factors that affect the flight of the round such
as wind speed and air temperature. Then it does all the necessary
calculations to get the round on target.
In addition to the tank upgrade, 18 Leopard Crew Gunnery
Trainers were purchased under the Leopard Thermal Sight Project.
The Armour School at CTC Gagetown will receive six of these,
while regiments across Canada will receive four each.
Even with all of the improvements, the Leopard's life expectancy
has been stretched only to about the year 2010. The long-range
future for the tank in Canada is still not certain. Analyses
of alternate options, fleet rationalization and operating
costs are ongoing.
The tank can actually function, depending on the threat level
or the operational environment, as long as Canada want to
keep it in service. The tank is operated by five other countries,
and, with 1500 Leopards of about the same configuration in
service, industry is committed to providing spare parts.
All Leopard C2s should be delivered by August 2001.
More info and pictures: Canadian
Tracks & 1st
Canadian Division of Steel Beasts
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