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Antti Ruokonen Profile picture
@antti_ruokonen
Oct 23, 2022 • 20 tweets • 12 min read • Read on X
Scrolly
1/n 🧵Leopard 2 1979
- 55 t
- 9,67 x 3,7 x 2,79 m
- 4-man crew
- 1500 Hp, 12-cylinder engine, 68 kph, range 450 km
- Armour max. 800 mm, anti-mine, shaped charge protection
- 120 mm L/44, 30 HEAT+12 APDS FS-T ammo, 2 x MG 3

L2 prototype T14 below.

Photo: Darkone @ Wikipedia Image
2/n Leopard 2 1979 basics pt 2.
- EMES-15 targeting, fire control computer
- Gyro-stabilized turret drive system
- Stabilized optics
- Smoke dischargers

Leopard 2 Beer Test käyttäen @YouTube
3/n A1 and A2 1982-84
+ Thermal imaging device (A 2)
+ Modified commanders periscope
+ Misc small updates

A3 1984-85
+ New radio (SEM 80/90)
+ New camo paint-job

Photo: Finnish 2A4 @ Puolustusvoimat Image
5/n A4 1985-92
+ Digital ballistics system for fire control computer
+ Fire suppression system for crew compartment
+ Added armour plating, new batteries, tracks, skirts, etc.

Bundeswehr L2’s on manoeuvres in 1986.

Photo: Bundesarchiv @ Wikipedia Image
6/n A5 1992-96
+ New munition types
+ New sloped armour, shrapnel protection
+ OPHELIOS thermal imaging device
+ Electric turret drive system, emergency adjustment drive
+ Improved laser range finder
+ Hybrid navigation system

Photo: Bundeswehr-Fotos @ Wikipedia Image
7/n A6 2006-
+ New 120 mm L/55 main gun, penetration of 810 mm of armour from a distance of 2 km
+ More munitions available
+ Weight 60 t

Finnish 2A6.

Photo: Puolustusvoimat Image
8/n A6M
+ Added mine protection
+ New thermal imaging device
+ Turret fire suppression system
+ Misc small upgrades

A6MA2
+ Dutch battlefield management system

Bundeswehr 2A6M below.

Photo: powidl @ Wikipedia Image
9/n A7 (2014-)
+ Integrated command information system IFIS
+ Cooling system
+ DM11 ammo compatibility
+ Thermal imaging upgrade
+ Upgraded power system, controls, turret fire suppression system
- Weight 64,1 t

Bundeswehr 2A7 below.

Photo: Boevaya mashina @ Wikipedia Image
10/n A7+ (2014-)
+ Upgraded main gun to L/55A1 variant
+ Added crew protection, turret armour, mine protection
+ FLW 200 (.50 Cal / 40 mm grenade launcher) remote controlled weaponstation on turret

Photo by AMB Brescia @ Wikipedia Image
11/n Current operators pt 1
Bundeswehr (266 A6, A6M and A7)
Netherlands (18 2A6M A2 leased from GER)
Switzerland (338 Pz 87)
Sweden (120 Strv 122)
Spain (108 2A4 & 219 2A6+)
Denmark (44 2A7)
Austria (114 2A4)
Norway (36 2A4 NO)

Strv 122 below

Photo: Anders Lagerås @ Wikipedia Image
12/n Current operators pt 2
Finland (100 2A4 FIN & 100 2A6NL)
Poland (142 2A4 & 105 2A5, 2PL?)
Greece (183 2A4 & 170 2A6 HEL)
Turkey (354 2A4, 2A4 TR)
Chile (140 2A4 CHL)
Singapore (158 2A4 & 45 2A7)
Portugal (37 2A6)

Finnish 2A6s below.

Photo: Puolustusvoimat Image
13/n Current operators pt 3
Canada (42 2A4+, 20 2A4M CAN & 20 2A6M CAN)
Indonesia (103 2A4)
Qatar (62 2A7+)
Hungary (12 2A4, 2A7+44 (delivery not confirmed))

Indonesian 2A4 w/Revolution upgrade

Photo: Kostrad @ Wikipedia Image
14 /n General Characteristics pt 1.
- Excellent maintenance record
- APFSDS-T, HEAT, HEAT-MP-T, PELE and Canister munitions
- Use of layered armour provides adaptability
- Lifespan up to 2035

Leopard 2 engine below, note the frame with crane hook.

Photo: Sonaz @ Wikipedia. Image
15/n General Characteristics pt 2. ammo
APFSDS-T = Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot/w tracer
HEAT = High-explosive anti-tank
HEAT-MP-T = High explosive anti-tank, multipurpose/w tracer
PELE = Penetrator-Enhanced Lateral Effect
Canister = Close range anti-personnel
16/n General Characteristics pt 2.
- Penetration of T-62 turret at 4 km (with L/44), while T-62 needs to close to 1 km
- Excellent first fire capability stationary & on the move
- Excellent night fighting capability

Finnish 2A6 firing.

Photo: Puolustusvoimat. Image
17/n Notes pt 1.
- Several nation’s L2 inventories are undergoing modernisation, thus numbers fluid
- Specialist vehicles include Engineering, bridging & AA variants

Manufacturers website
kmweg.de/systeme-produk…

Photos: Puolustusvoimat ImageImageImageImage
18/n Notes pt 2.
Main source - Jill Marc Münstermann - Leopard Tanks in Action: History, Variants and Combat Operations of the German Leopard 1 & 2 Main Battle Tanks (2021)

Wikipedia

Below FDF Marksman.

Photo: MKFI @ Wikipedia. Image
19/n
Feedback welcome, mistakes are my own. 🙂

#Freetheleopards #Tanks #StrongerTogether #StandWithUkraine

Ping @PToveri @JBelcourt73 @JorgeDe83010797 @domenpresern @BalticSnowTiger @noclador @KreusHarri @benjaminwittes @DrPaulyDeSantis @MaggieCaroline1
20/n Thanks

To @HthHans @KaMunChris @diwi28 @kaikowsky @MMaenpaa1 and the great @MriyaReport crowd!

Operational use threads will follow..

Photo: A24 © KMW Image
21/END

Bonus for those who managed to read till the end.

ALÜ = AUSBILDUNGSLEHRÜBUNG = training teaching exercise = once a year

ALÜ 2022: Panzerkompanie im Angriff - Leopard 2 schießt scharf - Moderat... käyttäen @YouTube

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More from @antti_ruokonen

Antti Ruokonen Profile picture
Dec 15, 2023
1/n
2023 is almost over. What a year. Thankfully tis’ almost the season and I find myself grateful for many things despite all the bad ones that have happened and are happening in the world today. One of the things I’m grateful for is @Lawfare.
2/n
The site is filled with dedicated, hard-working, smart and witty people, who day after day find the time and perseverance to follow National Security and Law related developments across the globe.
3/n
It’s fills me with joy being able to call them allies two- and soon hopefully three times over. Firstly, for shared democratic values, secondly as NATO allies and thirdly (Soon™) as bilateral defense agreement (DCA) partners.

um.fi/defence-cooper…
Read 10 tweets
Antti Ruokonen Profile picture
Jul 24, 2023
1/n 🧵Merkava (Chariot) mk. I 1979
- Development 1971-79 under General Yisrael “Talik” Tal
- Experience from co-op Chieftain project w/UK -> Indigent production imperative
- Experiences from 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars; heavy tank crew casualties esp. in 1973 General Yisrael Tal in 1970/Wikipedia
2/n
 - Development priorities:
1. Crew protection
2. Firepower
3. Mobility
- Protection and resilience Merkava prototype latrun 1, Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel. 2005. Source: Photo by me, UserBukvoed/Wikipedia
3/n
 - Engine in front, fighting compartment in rear
- Spaced & layered multiangle armour, welded & cast
- No flammable materials in fighting compartment
- Main gun ammo storage under turret ring Merkava mk.1/Military today
Read 10 tweets
Antti Ruokonen Profile picture
Jul 13, 2023
🧵#Allies #StrongerTogether

If you look closely, you will note @niinisto wearing the designation of the Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland on the buttonhole of his suites' lapel in the photos with @POTUS.
2/ As Grand Master of the Orders of the White Rose of Finland (FWR), the Lion of Finland (FL) and of the Order of the Cross of Liberty, this is very fitting. Below @niinisto wears the Grand Cross with Collar of the FWR and @JenniHaukio Grand Cross of FWR.
3/END For more info in Finland's Honours System, please see the link below.

Ping @DavidPriess @MaggieCaroline1 @S_R_Anders @ARozenshtein @qjurecic @jbordeaux @phaleristica @CasualArtyFan @RealCynicalFox @RonanBrownen @NatSecLisa @john_sipher

ritarikunnat.fi/language/en/ho…
Read 4 tweets
Antti Ruokonen Profile picture
Apr 19, 2023
🧵 1/n Perspective on artillery munitions
During the Äyräpää–Vuosalmi battle of 20th June – 17th July 1944, the red army tried and failed to break through Finnish positions at the river Vuoksi. Between 10-20 000 Finns stood against elements of 10 Red Army divisions, 115 000 men. Finnish Defence Forces / SA...Finnish Defence Forces / SA...
2/n
 Having their backs, the Finnish artillery fired 122 000 shells, and mortars 85 000. Daily record was set on 9th July, when Finnish artillery fired a total 13 500 shells. Finnish and German air assets bombed soviet targets to great effect. Finnish Defence Forces / SA...Finnish Defence Forces / SA...
3/n
 Meanwhile, the Ukrainian artillery is having to support multiple defensive battles with 3-7000 shells a day, without meaningful air support. Ukraine has told us that they require atleast 11666 shells/day -350 000 shells /month -4 200 000 shells /year. Justin Yau / Sipa USA via AP
Read 10 tweets
Antti Ruokonen Profile picture
Feb 28, 2023
1/n In the following🧵we will explore indirect fire equipment of the land forces component of the FDF and its use based on publicly available information. Possible mistakes and omissions are my own responsibility. Enjoy! Finnish Defence Forces / Puolustusvoimat
2/n Light mortar 81 KRH
Made in Finland. Used for supporting an inf. company by indirect fire.
Range: 0,1–5,8 km
Rate of fire: 18-20 shells per minute Finnish Defence Forces / Puolustusvoimat
3/n Heavy mortar 120 KRH
Made in Finland. To support an inf. battalion with indirect fire.
Range: 0.25–7.5 km
Rate of fire: 12-15 shells per minute Finnish Defence Forces / PuolustusvoimatFinnish Defence Forces / Puolustusvoimat
Read 20 tweets
Antti Ruokonen Profile picture
Nov 2, 2022
1/n 🧵M1 Abrams 1980

Named after General Creighton W. Abrams, legendary Tank Commander in WW2, and later Chief-of-Staff to US Armed Forces.

Strap in for a long thread… General Creighton W. Abrams...
2/n M1 pt1

-Manufacturer Chrysler (General Dynamics)
-4-man crew
-9,81 x 3,66 x 2,90 m, 54 t
-1500 hp, Avco-Lycoming (Honeywell) Gas-turbine engine, 72/48 km/h (on/off road), range 426 km XM1 Chrysler prototype 1976...XM1 GM prototype 1976 @ U.S...XM1 final prototype @ U.S. ...
3/n M1 pt2

-600-430 mm, laminate armour
-105 mm L/52 M68A1 rifled gun (55 round storage), 2 x 7,62 MG, 1 x .50 Cal MG AA
-Smoke dischargers

M1E1 (IPM1) 1981-85
+Improved armour
+Misc. small upgrades 105 mm M1 in 1986 @ W. B. W...
Read 26 tweets

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