
In 2001, the 403rd Panzer Battalion was the first Bundeswehr unit to be equipped with the A6.
In 2005, work began on converting the smoke grenade launcher to a new Type 6/2, which can fire other types such as bomblets in addition to smoke ammunition.
In order to meet the new threat scenarios posed by mines, a first batch of 70 Leopard 2 A6s was made mine-proof through extensive conversion work in 2004 and introduced into the German army as the Leopard 2 A6M. Externally recognizable only by the new, additional floor plate, which is partially visible at the front. Internally, the turret seats were decoupled, the driver's seat converted to a belt seat, torsion bars reinforced and covered, the emergency exit hatch modified and equipment redistributed and made mine-proof.
The conversion work increased the combat weight to 62.5t.
In 2014, 20 Leopard 2s from Dutch stocks, which were returned to Germany as replacements for the Leopard 2s leased from Germany to Canada, were completely overhauled and the new A7 equipment was fitted at the same time. In addition to the mine protection features of the A6M version, this includes completely new features such as a fighting compartment cooling system in the turret, a 17kW auxiliary unit in the rear right hull side, additional armor on the lower hull sides in the fighting compartment area, the optional Barracuda heat protection mat system, retrofitting the Attica thermal imaging module in the commander's optics and preparations on the hull for the use of additional side armor, an outboard intercom and a modified cable guide for the tow ropes.
In 2017, further updates were introduced, such as the additional storage box on the turret roof in front of the commander's hatch, mounts for MP7 and G36 on the loader's hatch, ice gripper mounts on the turret sides, removal of the tool from the engine deck, warning plate holder under the spare track links on the glacis plate and other small changes. The MLC marking changes to MLC 72
The total weight of the A7 is now 62.52 tons.
Plastic model kit
- fold-up skirts
- workable suspension
- individual link tracks
- photo-etched parts
- clear plastic parts
- mirror foil
unbuilt / unpainted
paint and glue not included
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