Qatar displayed for the first time it’s new Germany-made Leopard 2A7+ main battle tank during National Day.
Qatar’s Leopard 2A7+ tanks are the most advanced of the breed built to date and will be optimised to meet the high ambient conditions encountered in the Middle East.
More: Rheinmetall to supply the Bundeswehr with DM98 practice ammunition for Leopard 2 MBT
According to the contract signed in 2013 with an overall value of USD2.2 billion, Qatar ordered 62 Leopard 2 tanks. The Leopard 2A7+ battle tank is built based on the Leopard 2 MBT and employs digitised technology and multifunctional user concept for improved sustainability. The turret and chassis of the Leopard 2A7+ are fitted with a cooling system.
More: More than half of the German’s Leopard 2 main battle tanks are unfit for service
The Leopard 2A7+ MBT is powered by an MTU MB 873 diesel engine, which generates a power of 1,500hp. The Leopard 2A7+ equipped with the Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun, a computerised fire control system coupled to day and thermal sights for the commander and gunner, the latest armour package, an air-conditioning system and a roof-mounted FLW 200 remote weapon station (RWS) armed with a .50 M2 HB machine gun (MG) to provide a close-in self-defence capability.
