[Goose]

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-diffe...-Leopard-2

The Norwegians are talking about 2A4s. Germany is sending 2A6. Spain will be sending 2A4s at some point. Poland has 2A4s, 2A5s, and a unique 2PL version. The Dutch will be providing something, probably 2A6 but maybe 2A7 (leased back from Germany). The known differences from the above article:

2A4 -> 2A5: Refinement of the armor composites, steel cowling over turret for better protection, addition of spall liners, the commander’s sight was moved and given thermal imaging, the hatches were made stronger, and the turret controls were changed to all electric.

2A5 -> 2A6: Gun changed to the 120mm L55 from the 120mm L44, with later modifications (2A6M) adding additional protection on the belly against mines.

2A6 -> 2A7: Better climate control, a new APU, new fire control systems, upgraded networks, new intercom system, new fire suppression systems, and mountings on the hull for external armor packages.

The absence of spall liners in the 2A4 is a big negative for the crew. The tank may survive the hit but the crew may not because of spalled metal killing them. The commanders sight wasn't just moved and given thermal capability, it was made equivalent to the gunner's sight. It is a very different beast than the one in the 2A4 and has much greater utility. This is a big training issue as the commander of an A4 is much more likely to be operating with his head out of the tank than the A5 or later. The L55 has higher muzzle velocity and shoots farther. The software makes that transparent to the gunner but it can't increase the range of the L44 gun. Probably not a big deal. The all electric turret obviously uses different spare parts than the A4. Some differences in performance as well, but probably not critical.

[Goose]

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-diffe...-Leopard-2

The Norwegians are talking about 2A4s. Germany is sending 2A6. Spain will be sending 2A4s at some point. Poland has 2A4s, 2A5s, and a unique 2PL version. The Dutch will be providing something, probably 2A6 but maybe 2A7 (leased back from Germany). The known differences from the above article:

2A4 -> 2A5: Refinement of the armor composites, steel cowling over turret for better protection, addition of spall liners, the commander’s sight was moved and given thermal imaging, the hatches were made stronger, and the turret controls were changed to all electric.

2A5 -> 2A6: Gun changed to the 120mm L55 from the 120mm L44, with later modifications (2A6M) adding additional protection on the belly against mines.

2A6 -> 2A7: Better climate control, a new APU, new fire control systems, upgraded networks, new intercom system, new fire suppression systems, and mountings on the hull for external armor packages.

The absence of spall liners in the 2A4 is a big negative for the crew. The tank may survive the hit but the crew may not because of spalled metal killing them. The commanders sight wasn't just moved and given thermal capability, it was made equivalent to the gunner's sight. It is a very different beast than the one in the 2A4 and has much greater utility. This is a big training issue as the commander of an A4 is much more likely to be operating with his head out of the tank than the A5 or later. The L55 has higher muzzle velocity and shoots farther. The software makes that transparent to the gunner but it can't increase the range of the L44 gun. Probably not a big deal. The all electric turret obviously uses different spare parts than the A4. Some differences in performance as well, but probably not critical.