Australia (90 vehicles)  

Australian Leopard 1MBT is equivalent in shape and equipment to the German A3 version. The tank, designated as Leopard AS, is fitted with the Belgian SABCA fire-control system including a laser rangefinder in place of an optical stereoscopic one. The vehicle had a sidewind sensor and a mounting device for a dozer blade. Were delivered between 1976 and 1978.

  Belgium (132)  

Belgium are modernising their old Leopard 1 BE (delivered from 1968) with the new 1A5. Leopard 1BE has the Belgium 7,62mm FN MAG. As from 1975 equipped with extra stowage boxes to the hull sides, a Caddilac-Gage gun stabilisation system and the main gun received a thermal sleece. All vehicles were eventually fitted with a SABCA fire control system. This consists of an optical sight with an integral laser rangefinder, analogue computer and crosswind velocity sensor. In 1988 one vehicle was fitted with the add-on armour developed by Blohm und Voss, a new fire control computer, and a thermal day/night sight developed by SABCA and OIP with an integrated laser rangefinder. The latter was installed in a similar armoured housing to the German Leopard 1A5. Deliveries of the modernised Leopard 1 BE began in 1997 at a rate of four vehicles per month. Planned cuts in military spending will see the numver of MBTs reduced to 132 Leopard 1 BE (modernised) from a level of 334 vehicles.

  Brazil (87)  

Brazil bought 87 used Belgian Leopard 1A5BE in 1997. Last order received in january 1999.

28 January 1995

Belgium and the Netherlands are locked in a competition to provide 180 second-hand Leopard 1 MBTs to Brazil, confirming Brazil is back in a buyer's market.

BRAZIL PICKS EX-BELGIAN LEOPARD I TANKS

Brazil plans to buy surplus Leopard I tanks from Belgium, in
preference to leasing US M60A3 tanks. Brazil is replacing part of its
light tank force, rather than expanding the force.

Reference: DEFENSE NEWS Monday July 31, 1995

  Canada (114)  

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

  Chile (250)  

Click on picture for larger version. Suitable as desktop wallpaper (1024x768).
The chilean army purchased 250 Dutch Leopard 1V. Chile originaly bought Belgium leopard, but they turned out to be far to expensive and worn out. Some of them had allready arrived, but where sent back. The deal where brought to life by the German Krauss-Maffei and the Dutch RDM Engineering/Technology of Rotterdam with the Chilean Famae. Chile now have one of the largest MBT unit in South America.

  Denmark (230)  

From 1976 Denmark received their Leopard 1A3's with extra stowage boxes fitted to the hull sides (120 ordered in 1974). A special camouflage mat (later removed because of the decontamination difficulties). Recently a modernisation programme was stardet to retrofit the Danish version with the EMES 18 FCS, leading to the Leopard 1A5 DK. All Danish Leopard may be fitted with a dozer-blade or a TWMP mine clearing device. Included the additional 110 Leopard 1A3 ordered from German stocks and also modernised to A5 DK standard, bringing the total to 230 Leopard 1A5 DK.

Danish Leopard 1A5

  Germany (2.437)  

The origin of the Leopard. All version has been used in Germany.

  Greece (195)  

The vehicles were delivered from 1983 to 1984. The A3 version is similar to the Turkish variant and are equipped with the EMES12A3 fire-control system and the PZB200 image intensification system. 99 Leopard 1V was donated by the Netherlands in 1991. The version on the picture is A5 standard.

More information and pictures: The Trackhead

  Italy (920)  

Italy did not place its first order before 1970, and the first 200 vehicles were delivered between 1971-72, a further 400 being built under licence by OTO Melara from 1974. Deliverues of an additional 120 vehicles were then completed in 1983. A Recent evaluation programme has studied the installation of Blohm und Voss add-on armour and a fire control system (including a thermal sight), but som reports indicate that Italy plans to replace most of their Leopards with the Italian "C-1 Ariete".

  Norway (170)  

In 1978 Norway took delivery of 78 Leopard 1 (Resembling the German Leopard 1, 4th batch). The Norwegian vehicles underwent a modernisation programme ended in 1994, when the hydraulic gun control system was replaced by an all-electric system (so sucessfull that it was installed in later Leopard 2's) and EMES 18 FCS installed, bringing them up to A5-standard. A further batch of 92 Leopard 1A5 have been upgraded for the Norwegian Army, designated Leopard 1A5NO2, with additional turret armour and silenced thermal sight. Note the snow grouser box on the glacis plate, and the commanders extra high front periscope.

  The Netherlands (468)  

Leopard 1-V was an improved version of the basic Leopard 1 variant (V=verbeterd=improved). The tank incorporate a weapon stabilization system, fire-control computer and a laser rangefinder. Note the Dutch smoke launchers, tool boxes and the FN 7,62mm machine gun.

  Turkey (337)  

Poor picture
In 1982-83 77 Leopard 1 TU (Leopard 1A3 in the Turkish configuration) were delivered fitted with the EMES12A3 fire-control system and PBZ200 image-intensificationn equipment. Further 150 vehicles were delivered between 1990-91 equipped with EMES 12 A3 and designated Leopard T1. These are converted former West German Leopard 1A4. A further batch of 110 Leopard 1A1A1 (modified to A5 standard?) are thought to have been supplied to the Turkish Army under the German government's "Armament aid" programme.

October 2000: Germany Refuses Tanks to Turkey - Germany has decided not to supply Turkey with 1,000 Leopard 2 tanks worth $7.1 billion, according to Defense Systems Daily. The tank sale has threatened to break apart the German coalition government between the Greens and Social Democrat parties. The German weekly, Der Spiegel, reported that Germany has offered to build a factory in Turkey to manufacture ammunition for light weapons instead of the battle tank.

  United Arab Emirates (36)  

In 1977, the Italian companies OTO Melara and Fiat developed an export version of the Leopard 1 designated OF-40. The first prototype was ready in 1980, and in 1981 a batch of 18 were delivered to the UAE. A further batch of 18 OF-40 Mk.2 were delivered, and the original batch modernised to Mk.2 standard, featuring the Officine Galileo OG14LR2A FCS with gun stabilization, various fire control sensors, day/night sight and image intensification (LLLTV), aFrench SFIM stabilized roof mounted commander sight and a Selenia laser rangefinder. The ammunition load consists of 61 rounds for the 105mm and 5.700 7,62mm rounds. For air defence a further 7,62 mm MG is provided, but this could optionally be replaced by a 12,7 mm HMG. The UAE is the only customer of the OF-40.

  Botswana  

10 January 1996

Botswana has procured a package of second hand defence equipment from the Netherlands including Leopard 1-V main battle tanks.

31 July 1996

The sale of 54 Royal Netherlands Army Leopard 1-V MBTs to Botswana has been halted by a German manufacturers' veto. German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel has voiced concern over the stability of southern Africa. Leopards cannot be resold to a non-NATO country without German consent.

  United Kingdom  

15 March 2000

Norway's Hägglunds Moelv is to provide the UK Royal Marines' Future Beach Recovery Vehicle (FBRV) for its new role, based on a modified German Leopard 1 main battle tank chassis. The company has been awarded an initial £7.5 million (US$12m) contract for the supply of four FBRVs. These will replace the Centurion Beach Recovery Vehicle currently used by the Royal Marines. Christopher F Foss writes.