While some wonder If tanks remain relevant in modern warfare, some of the planet’s major military powers are investing considerable sums of money to update this type of armored vehicles.
We recently talked about the United Kingdom’s efforts to convert a hundred Challenger 2 tanks into advanced Challenger 3 tanks. Now it is Germany’s turn, which is ready for improve the latest variant of the legendary Leopard 2.
Leopard 2 and its new missile defense system
Although Leopard 2 tanks appeared on the scene at the end of the 1970sthis model has received numerous improvements over the years. For this reason it is known as one of the most modern armored vehicles today.
Germany’s armed forces (Bundeswehr) are ready to take the A7A1 variant to the next level. At least 17 units are planned to be upgraded in the first stage with an “invisible shield” that will allow them to protect themselves from missile attacks.
This is the Trophy system manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael. Each mobile Trophy unit has four radar sensors and two launch units. The system, in turn, is controlled by a computer that offers responses in milliseconds.
The Trophy active protection system
When a Leopard 2 has this system it will be able to identify threats from several kilometers away. The tank with the Trophy system will analyze the trajectory of the guided missile. If it determines that it is going to hit it, it will choose to neutralize it.
That is, the Trophy launch units will be activated to intercept incoming missile. For its part, the tank’s armor will continue to be key for short-range threats, such as shots with ammunition of a certain caliber by ground forces.
Although Trophy is already used in different vehicles of the Israeli armed forces, the Bundeswehr had to launch a special development process to adapt it to the Leopard 2, which included redesigning the tank’s turret.
The first Leopard 2 with the Trophy system is expected to be put into service as soon as 2025. When the units are updated with the active defense system they will be renamed. They will go from Leopard A7A1 to Leopard 2 A8.
Images | Bundeswehr | Featured Image Background Generated with Adobe Firefly
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