SINGAPORE SET TO ACQUIRE REFURBISHED LEOPARD TANKS FROM GERMANY
1. The Singapore Ministry of Defence and the German Federal Ministry of Defence intend to agree upon the sale of Leopard 2A4 tanks from the German Armed Forces to the Singapore Armed Forces.
2. The acquisition package will consist of 66 refurbished Leopard 2A4 tanks together with 30 spare tanks and supporting equipment. Training on the Leopard tanks will be provided by the German Army.
3. This acquisition underscores the good defence relationship between Germany and Singapore.
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
11 DECEMBER 2006
KEY PLATFORM CAPABILITIES
1. Protection. At 55.15 tons, the Leopard 2A4 tank features spaced multi-layered armour that offers protection against tank guns, armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) cannons and anti-tank weapons.
2. Mobility. The Leopard 2A4 tank is powered by the MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel engine that delivers 1500 hp, giving the tank one of the most favourable power-to-weight ratios in its class. The Leopard 2A4 has a top speed of 72km/h.
3. Lethality. The Leopard 2A4 is equipped with the 120mm, L44 smoothbore gun, which has the capability to defeat all other armour fighting vehicles.
4. Potential for Future Growth. The Leopard 2A4 configuration allows the flexibility for future growth. Hence, customised upgrades required for the operations in local environment and integration with other platforms and systems of the 3rd Generation SAF can be implemented at a later appropriate time.
ENHANCEMENT IN CAPABILITY
5. The Leopard 2A4 surpasses the SM1 in protection and firepower. It is comparable to SM1 in mobility. As a replacement for some of the Army’s SM1s, the introduction of the Leopard 2A4 represents a significant enhancement in the army’s capability.
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE LEOPARD 2A4 AND SM1 TANKS
Description |
Leopard 2A4 |
SM1 |
Technical Data | ||
Crew |
4 |
3 |
Combat Weight |
55.15 ton |
17.2 ton |
Ground Pressure |
0.83 kg/cm2 |
0.88 kg/cm2 |
Ground clearance |
0.537 m |
0.43 m |
Dimensions (L x W x H) |
9.668 x 3.7 x 2.79 m |
6.36 x 2.51 x 2.62 m |
Main Armament |
120mm smoothbore, L44 |
75mm, M50 Gun |
Other Armament |
1 x 7.62 mm coaxial MG 1 x 7.62 mm anti-aircraft MG 8 x 76 mm smoke launcher per side |
1 x 7.62 mm coaxial 1 x 7.62 mm CMG 4 x 81 mm smoke launcher |
Fire Control System |
With stabilisation, thermal imager |
Non stabilised, image intensifier |
Engine |
MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel engine |
Detroit Diesel 6V52T |
Power |
1500 hp |
290 hp |
Transmission |
Renk HSWL 354 hydrokinetic transmission |
ZF 5WG 180, Automatic |
Performance Specifications | ||
Power-to-weight |
27.2 hp/ton |
16.86 hp/ton |
Max road speed |
72 km/h |
60 km/h |
Max road range |
550 km |
450 - 500 km |
Vertical Obstacle |
1.1 m |
0.65 m |
Trench Clearance |
3 m |
1.6 m |
Gradient |
60 % |
60 % |
Side Slope |
30 % |
40 % |
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