The Germany Army is to upgrade 225 of its Leopard 2 tanks to increase battlefield surviveability. This modification work includes the retrofitting of additional special armour packages, the fitting of a new 120 mm L55 Rheinmetall gun and electric gun controls, upgrading of the sight and fire control systems to the latest state-of-the art. The upgraded version weighs 59 000 kg and is known as the Leopard 2 (Improved). The programme is due to start in 19 95 and finish in 1999, The Dutch and Swiss are also due to upgrade their Leopard 2 tanks in a similar manner. The Dutch will upgrade 330 of their Leopard 2s at the same time as the Germans and the Swiss will upgrade some 300 tanks from the year 2000. In 1995 Spain decided to manufacture the Leopard 2 (Improved) under license. A total of 200 will be built from 1998 onwards, In the meantime, 108 Leopard 2s are being leased for five years from 1995 onwards. In 1994, following an MET competition, Sweden signed a contract to build 120 Leopard 2 (Improved) MBTs. Known as Strv 122 they will take their place alongside 160 ex-German Army Leopard 2 (Strv 121) delivered in 1994, A further 90 Leopard 2 (Improved) MBT are an option. In 1991 deliveries of an ARV version,
known as the Buffel, commenced to the German (75 vehicles) and Netherlands (25 vehicles) armies. The Buffel is fitted with the necessary rated hydraulic crane, winch, dozer blade and other equipment required to service or recover a Leopard 2 MBT.
Buffel ARVot'the German Army recovering an MBT.
