The Leopard 2 Next Generation (NG) upgrade package for Leopard 2 main battle tanks was developed by Aselsan of Turkey as a private venture.
The vehicle is in fact a Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW)-produced Leopard 2A4 battle tank of the service’s inventory modernized by Turkish state-owned firm Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret.
The upgrade package provides the vehicle with improved fire power, protection and survivability.
The Leopard 2NG modernization package feature the installation of add-on ballistic protection and add-on mine protection modules, fire control system (consisting of sensors, gunner’s periscope, commander’s panoramic sight, situational awareness system, inertial navigation unit, interface, handles and associated electronic units), electrical gun and turret drives, command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence/battlefield management system or C4I/BMS (consisting of command control computer and software, tactical radios, intercom and display units), laser warning system, driver’s sight (front and rear sight units), automatic fire suppression system for the crew compartment, and the company’s SARP (Stabilized Advanced Remote weapon Platform) remote-controlled weapon station of coupled to 12.7mm heavy machine gun (or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or 7.62mm light machine gun) and ATS-40 electro-optical payload.
The armor protection suite of German firm IBD Deisenroth Engineering consists of heavy track skirts, gun mantlet, turret, front armor protection, armor protection against improvised explosive devices, under belly protection, turret protection, and hull slat armor.
