Editing Leopard 2 (section)

==Design==
===Protection===
[[File:Keilpanzerung Leopard 2A5.jpg|thumb|Arrowhead-shaped armour module of the Leopard 2A5]]
[[File:Leopard 2 A7 (6713938201).jpg|thumb|The turret and hull sides of the Leopard 2A7+ are fitted with additional armour modules.]]
[[File:Upgraded Leopard 2A4 SG NDP 2010.JPG|thumb|The Leopard 2SG is fitted with AMAP composite armour.]]

The Leopard 2 uses [[spaced armour|spaced]] multilayer armour throughout the design.<ref name="JanesAA06">{{cite book|first=Christopher F.|last=Foss|title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006|publisher=Jane's IHS|page=36|date=2005|isbn=978-0710626868}}</ref> The armour consists of a combination of steel plates of different hardness, elastic materials, and other non-metallic materials.<ref name="KrapkeASMZ">{{cite book|last=Krapke|first=Paul-Werner|date=1984|title=Das Waffensystem Kampfpanzer Leopard 2|publisher=Allgemeine schweizerische Militärzeitschrift ASMZ Nr. 5/1984|page=240|language=de}}</ref><ref name="HilmesKPdNK">{{cite book|last=Hilmes|first=Rolf|year=1983|title=Kampfpanzer Entwicklungen der Nachkriegszeit|publisher=Report Verlag GmbH|page=76|language=de}}</ref><ref name="KrapkeLeopardWuL">{{cite book|last=Krapke|first=Paul-Werner|date=2004|title=Leopard 2 sein Werden und seine Leistung|publisher=Books on Demand GmbH|page=60|isbn=978-3833414251|language=de}}</ref> Steel plates with high hardness and high ductility are used. The armour is a result of extensive research about the formation and penetration mechanism of shaped charge jets.<ref name="KrapkeLeopardWuL2">{{cite book|last=Krapke|first=Paul-Werner|year=2004|title=Leopard 2 sein Werden und seine Leistung|publisher=Books on Demand GmbH|page=59|isbn=978-3833414251}}</ref> The Leopard 2's armour might be based on the British [[Chobham armour|Burlington armour]], which had already been demonstrated to West Germany in 1970.<ref name="BurlingtonGermany">{{cite book|date=1970-03-10|title=Chieftain tanks: engine problems and improvements; main battle tank armour development (Burlington) proposed collaboration with Germany (DEFE 13/1369)|publisher=National Archives|url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11361803|access-date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107041000/http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11361803|archive-date=2016-01-07|url-status=live}}</ref>

Later, in the mid-1970s, full details about Burlington were handed over to the West German government. The frontal arc of the Leopard 2's armour is designed to withstand large caliber kinetic energy penetrators and [[shaped charge]] projectiles.<ref name="KrapkeLeopardWuL" /> During the 1980s, it was estimated that the Leopard 2's front would resist {{cvt|125|mm}} [[armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot]] (APFSDS) rounds fired from a distance of {{cvt|1500|m}}.<ref name="KrapkeLeopardWuL2" /><ref name="ASMZ121980">{{cite book|last=Bischofberger|first=Walter|year=1980|title=Panzerwaffen : Feuerkraft und Panzerung im Vergleich|publisher=Allgemeine schweizerische Militärzeitschrift ASMZ Nr. 12/1980|page=697|language=de}}</ref>

The Leopard 2A4's armour has a maximum physical thickness of {{convert|800|mm}} based on unofficial measurements and estimates made by former conscripts and professional soldiers of the German army.<ref name="Whq" /> On the Leopard 2A5 and subsequent models, the thickness is increased by the wedge-shaped armour module to {{convert|1500|mm}}.<ref name="Whq">{{cite web|url=http://www.whq-forum.de/cms/27.0.html|access-date=2012-01-03|title=waffenHQ.de: Leopard 2|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125204600/http://www.whq-forum.de/cms/27.0.html|archive-date=2011-11-25|url-status=live}}</ref>

The side and the rear of the tank protect against heavy machine guns, medium caliber rounds, and older types of tank ammunition. The side of the hull is covered by armour skirts to increase protection against projectiles and [[Rocket-propelled grenade|rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs)]]. The frontal third of the hull sides is covered by heavy ballistic skirts, while the rest of the hull sides is covered by steel-reinforced rubber skirts. For increased protection against mines, the sides of the hull floor are sloped by 45° and the floor is reinforced with corrugations.<ref name="KrapkeASMZ" />

====Secondary protection====
[[File:Leopard 2A4 Munitionsbunker Turmheck.jpg|thumb|right|Ammunition storage in a Leopard 2A4]]
The Leopard 2's design follows the concept of compartmentation. Possible sources of fire or explosions have been moved away from the crew.<ref name="KrapkeLeopardWuL" /> In the turret, the ammunition and the hydraulics are located in compartments separated from the crew. In case of a detonation, the blow-off panels on the compartment roofs will direct the explosion and fire away from the crew. The crew is also protected against [[CBRN defense|nuclear, biological and chemical]] (NBC) threats, as the Leopard 2 is equipped with a Dräger NBC overpressurization system, which provides up to 4 [[Pascal (unit)|hPA]] over-pressure inside the vehicle.<ref name=frapdoL2 />

Two groups of four Wegmann {{cvt|76|mm}} smoke mortars are mounted on either side of the turret and can be electrically fired either as single rounds or in salvos of four. They are mounted on most Leopard 2 models, with the exception of Dutch Leopard 2s, which are equipped instead with a Dutch-designed smoke mortar system with six barrels on each side.<ref name=frapdoL2 /> Swedish Stridsvagn 122 utilises French GALIX smoke dispensers, similar to the system found on the French Leclerc.<ref name="strv122-fmv" />

The Leopard 2 is equipped with a fire protection system. Four {{cvt|9|kg}} [[Halomethane|halon]] fire extinguisher bottles are installed on the right behind the driver's station. The bottles are connected to pipes and hoses and are activated automatically by the fire detection system when temperatures rise above {{convert|82|C}} inside the fighting compartment, or manually via a control panel in the driver's compartment.<ref name=frapdoL2 /> An extra {{cvt|2.5|kg}} halon fire extinguisher is stored on the floor beneath the main gun.

====Armour upgrades====
[[File:Leopard 2RI Yonkav 1 Kostrad, 2021.jpg|thumb|Indonesian Leopard 2RI of the 1st Cavalry Battalion with AMAP composite armour]]
Following Leopard 2's introduction into service in 1979, the armour has been gradually improved over the years. A modified version of spaced multilayer armour was introduced beginning with the 97th vehicle of the 6th production batch.<ref>{{cite book|title=Kampfpanzer LEOPARD 2 – Entwicklung und Einsatz in der Bundeswehr|page=124|first=Frank|last=Lobitz|isbn=978-3936519082|date=2009-06-20|publisher=Vollert - Tankograd Publ.|language=de}}</ref> The same batch also introduced an improved type of heavy ballistic skirts.

The Leopard 2A5 upgrade focused on increased armour protection. While upgrading a Leopard 2 tank to the Leopard 2A5 configuration, the roof covering the armour modules is cut open and new armour modules are inserted.<ref name="EuroLeopard2A5">{{cite book|last=Scheibert|first=Michael|year=1996|title=Leopard 2 A5 – Euro-Leopard 2|publisher=Podzun-Pallas-Verlag GmbH|page=60|isbn=3-7909-0576-3}}</ref><ref name="ArmorMagazineGermanyBigGun">{{cite book|last=Van Oosbree|first=Gerard|date=1998|title=ARMOR Magazine article: Germany's Big Guns|publisher=U.S. Army Armor Center|page=29|url=http://www.ciar.org/ttk/mbt/armor/armor-magazine/armor-mag.1998.mj/3leo2.pdf|access-date=2015-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107041000/http://www.ciar.org/ttk/mbt/armor/armor-magazine/armor-mag.1998.mj/3leo2.pdf|archive-date=2016-01-07|url-status=live}}</ref> New additional armour modules made of laminated armour cover the frontal arc of the turret. They have a distinctive arrowhead shape and improve protection against both kinetic penetrators and shaped charges.<ref name="ArmorMagazineGermanyBigGun" /><ref name="JanesAA062">{{cite book|first=Christopher F.|last=Foss|title=Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006|publisher=Jane's IHS|page=33|date=2005|isbn=978-0710626868}}</ref> The side skirts also incorporate improved armour protection.<ref name="JanesAA062" /> A {{cvt|25|mm|adj=on}} thick spall liner reduces the danger of crew injuries in case of armour penetration.<ref name=frapdoL2 /><ref name="ArmorMagazineGermanyBigGun" />

The Leopard 2A7 features the latest generation of passive armour and belly armour providing protection against mines and IEDs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/46904/germany-receives-first-leopard-2a7-mbt|title=Germany receives first Leopard 2A7 MBT|website=janes.com|date=2014-12-10|access-date=2015-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501043922/http://www.janes.com/article/46904/germany-receives-first-leopard-2a7-mbt|archive-date=2015-05-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Leopard 2A7 is fitted with adapters for mounting additional armour modules or protection systems against RPGs.<ref>{{cite book|title=LEOPARD 2A7|publisher=Y – DAS MAGAZIN DER BUNDESWEHR (German Bundeswehr magazine)|date=March 2015|page=63}}</ref>

For urban combat, the Leopard 2 can be fitted with different packages of modular armour. The [[Leopard 2A4M CAN]], Leopard 2 PSO (Peace Support Operations) and the Leopard 2A7 can mount thick modules of composite armour along the flanks of the turret and hull, while slat armour can be adapted at the vehicle's rear. The armour modules provide protection against the RPG-7, which depending on the warhead can penetrate between {{convert|280|mm}} and {{convert|600|mm}} of steel armour.<ref name="HilmesKPzHeuteUndMorgen">{{cite book|last=Hilmes|first=Rolf|date=2007-11-30|title=Kampfpanzer Heute und Morgen|publisher=Motorbuch Verlag|page=217|isbn=978-3613027930|language=de}}</ref> The Leopard 2A6M CAN increases protection against [[rocket-propelled grenade]]s (RPGs) by including additional [[slat armor|slat armour]].<ref name="L2A6-CASR" />

Additional armour packages have been developed by a number of different companies. IBD Deisenroth has developed upgrades with [[MEXAS]] and [[Advanced Modular Armor Protection|Advanced Modular Armour Protection]] (AMAP) composite armour, the latter is being used on Singaporean and Indonesian Leopard 2 tanks. RUAG has developed an armour upgrade utilizing their SidePRO-ATR composite armour. This upgrade was first presented on the IAV 2013.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

The Leopard 2A4M and 2A6M add an additional mine protection plate for the belly, which increases protection against mines and IEDs.<ref name=frapdoL2 />

On 22 February 2021, the German Defence Ministry agreed to acquire [[Trophy (countermeasure)|Trophy]], an [[active protection system]] of [[Israel]]i design. 17 German Army tanks will be fitted with the system, with integration planned to be completed in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|last=Eshel|first=Tamir|date=2021-02-23|title=Israel to Equip German Leopard Tanks with TROPHY APS|url=https://defense-update.com/20210223_leopard2-trophy.html|access-date=2021-04-26|website=Defense Update}}</ref>  Due to logistical and technical challenges, the Bundeswehr adjusted its initial plans for integrating Trophy into 17 Leopard 2 A7A1 tanks. Testing of the first tanks is now expected to conclude by mid-2024, with operational deployment set for early 2025. These 17 units, equipped with Trophy APS, will serve as a test platform for future configurations. Insights gained from this implementation will optimize production of the Leopard 2 A8, which will integrate Trophy APS into all 123 planned units, enhancing Germany's armored capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-07 |title=Leopard 2 A7A1 MBT Now With Trophy APS: Intercept Missiles Within Milliseconds |url=https://www.grosswald.org/leopard-2-a7a1-mbt-now-with-trophy-aps-intercept-missiles-within-milliseconds/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=grosswald.org - Curated News on Geopolitics, International Affairs and Defence |language=en}}</ref>

====Armour protection estimates====
Estimated levels of protection for the Leopard 2 range from {{cvt|590|to|690|mm}} [[RHAe]] on the turret, {{cvt|600|mm}} RHAe on the glacis and lower front hull on the Leopard 2A4, to {{cvt|920|–|940|mm}} RHAe on the turret, {{cvt|620|mm}} RHAe on the glacis and lower front hull on the Leopard 2A6 against kinetic projectiles.<ref name=frapdoL2>{{cite web|url=http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/leo2.htm|title=Main Battle Tank – Leopard 2|access-date=2010-05-12|date=2009-12-12|publisher=Fabio Prado|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802143624/http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/leo2.htm|archive-date=2010-08-02|url-status=unfit}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=May 2015}}

According to a description page hosted by the [[Federation of American Scientists]], the armour of the Leopard 2A4 is believed to provide protection equivalent to {{cvt|700|mm}} armour steel (RHA) against kinetic energy penetrators and {{cvt|1000|mm}} RHA against shaped charge warheads.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/leopard2.htm|title=Battle tank Leopard 2/Kampfpanzer Leopard 2|publisher=Fas.org|access-date=2012-01-03|date=1999-06-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111209004055/http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/leopard2.htm|archive-date=2011-12-09|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Armament===
[[File:PERI-R 17.jpg|thumb|right|A view through the panoramic PERI R17 sight]]

====Primary====
The primary armament for production versions of the Leopard 2 is the Rheinmetall {{cvt|120|mm}} smoothbore gun—the same gun later adapted for use on the M1 Abrams—in either the L/44 variant (found on all production Leopard 2s until the A5), or the L/55 variant (as found on the Leopard 2A6 and subsequent models).<ref name=frapdoL2 />

Ammunition for the gun comprises 27 rounds stored in a special magazine in the forward section of the hull, to the left of the driver's station, with an additional 15 rounds stored in the left side of the turret bustle, which is separated from the fighting compartment by an electrically operated door.<ref name=frapdoL2 /> If the turret's ammunition storage area is hit, a blow-off panel in the turret roof would direct an explosion upwards away from the crew compartment.<ref name=frapdoL2 /> However, the 27 other rounds stored in the forward section of the hull, to the left of the driver's station, do not have this protection and would cause catastrophic secondary explosions if the hull were hit. This is a weakness of the Leopard 2's design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tank-afv.com/coldwar/West_Germany/leopard-2.php|title=West German cold war KMW Leopard 2 MBT (1978)|first=David|last=Bocquelet|website=tank-afv.com|access-date=2023-12-21}}</ref>

The gun is fully stabilised, and can fire a variety of types of rounds, such as the German DM43 APFSDS-T anti-tank round, which is said to be able to penetrate {{convert|450|mm|in|sp=us}}<ref>''Jane's Ammunition Handbook'' (subscription), [https://archive.today/20130103130425/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jah/jah_0303.html "120&nbsp;mm DM 33A1 and DM 43A1 APFSDS-T rounds (Germany)"]. {{dead link|date=January 2011}} Retrieved 11 November 2008.</ref>{{citation needed|date=May 2024|reason=Permanent dead link, no surviving working archives}} of steel armour at a range of {{convert|2000|m|yd}},<ref name="weg tradoc 2011 p514">{{cite book|url=http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll11/id/2089|title=Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG), Volume 1: Ground Systems|author=<!--No specific author -->|publisher=TRADOC Intelligence Support Activity|location=Fort Leavenworth, KS|date=December 2011|pages=5–14 (188)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214010624/http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll11/id/2089|archive-date=2015-02-14}}</ref> and the German DM12 [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT).<ref>{{cite book|last=Jerchel|first=Michael|author2=Uwe Schnellbacher|title=Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank 1979–1998|publisher=Osprey|year=1998|location=Oxford, UK|isbn=1-85532-691-4|page=22}}</ref>

For the L/55 gun, a newer APFSDS-T round was introduced to take advantage of the longer barrel, the DM-53,<ref name="weg tradoc 2011 p514"/> which is said to be able to penetrate up to {{cvt|750|mm}} of RHAe armour at a range of {{cvt|2000|m}}.<ref name=frapdoL2 /> The [[bore evacuator]] and the gun's thermal sleeve of the A4 and A5, designed to regulate the temperature of the barrel, are fabricated from [[glass-reinforced plastic]]. The barrel has a chrome lining to increase barrel life.<ref name="Janes44">{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaau/jaau0021.html|title=Rheinmetall 120&nbsp;mm L/44 smoothbore gun (Germany)|access-date=2008-11-07|work=Jane's Armour & Artillery|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220223645/http://www.janes.com/extracts/extract/jaau/jaau0021.html|archive-date=2009-02-20}}</ref> The main gun is capable of power elevating from +20° to −9°.<ref name="JanesTank">{{cite book|last=Foss|first=Christopher F.|title=Jane's Tank Recognition Guide|edition=4|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|year=2006|location=Hammersmith, London|isbn=978-0-00-718326-5|page=35}}</ref>

Rheinmetall has developed an upgrade for Leopard 2 tanks to give them the ability to fire the Israeli [[LAHAT]] anti-tank guided missile through the main gun. The missile can engage targets out to a range of {{convert|6000|m|lk=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rheinmetall-detec.de/index.php?fid=4113&lang=3&pdb=1|title=Lahat Leopard 2 Upgrade|publisher=Rheinmetall Defence AG|access-date=2010-10-11|location=Germany|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103052841/http://www.rheinmetall-detec.de/index.php?fid=4113&lang=3&pdb=1|archive-date=2013-11-03}}</ref>

====Secondary====
The Leopard 2 is equipped with two machine guns, one mounted co-axially, the other an anti-aircraft mount. German models use the [[MG 3 machine gun|MG&nbsp;3]] {{cvt|7.62|mm|1}} machine gun; Dutch and Singaporean models use [[FN MAG]] {{cvt|7.62|mm|1}} machine guns; Swiss models use Swiss [[MG 51|MG 87]] {{cvt|7.5|mm|3}} machine guns.<ref name=frapdoL2/> 4,750 rounds of machine gun ammunition are carried on board the Leopard 2, of which 2,000 rounds are carried for the coaxial machine gun.<ref name="weg tradoc 2011 p513">{{cite book|url=http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll11/id/2089|title=Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG), Volume 1: Ground Systems|author=<!--No specific author -->|publisher=TRADOC Intelligence Support Activity|location=Fort Leavenworth, KS|date=December 2011|pages=5–13 (187)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214010624/http://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll11/id/2089|archive-date=2015-02-14}}</ref> More recent variants such as the Leopard 2A7+ are capable of mounting a Remotely-Controlled Weapons Station fitted with a [[M2 Browning|Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun]], near the commander's hatch.

====Fire control====
The standard fire control system found on the Leopard 2 is the German EMES 15 fire control system with a dual magnification stabilised primary sight. The primary sight has an integrated neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet [[Nd:YAG laser]] rangefinder and a 120 element [[mercury cadmium telluride]], HgCdTe (also known as CMT) Zeiss [[thermographic camera]], both of which are linked to the tank's fire control computer.<ref name="ArmyTechL2">{{cite web|url=http://www.army-technology.com/projects/leopard/|title=Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank, Germany|access-date=2010-05-13|publisher=ArmyTechnology.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117040254/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/leopard/|archive-date=2015-11-17|url-status=live}}</ref> A backup 8x auxiliary telescope FERO-Z18 is mounted coaxially for the gunner.<ref name=frapdoL2/>

The commander has an independent periscope, the Rheinmetall/Zeiss PERI R17 A2.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}} This is a stabilised panoramic periscope sight designed for day/night observation and target identification. It provides an all round view with a traverse of 360°. The thermal image from the commander's periscope is displayed on a monitor inside the tank. Initial production tanks were not equipped with a thermal sight, due to the sight not being ready, and instead temporarily substituted the PZB 200 low light TV system (LLLTV).<ref name=frapdoL2/>

The fire control suite is capable of providing up to three range values in four seconds. The range data is transmitted to the fire control computer and is used to calculate the firing solution. Because the laser rangefinder is integrated into the gunner's primary sight, the gunner is able to read the digital range measurement directly. The maximum range of the laser rangefinder is up to {{cvt|10000|m}} with a measuring accuracy within {{cvt|10|m}} at this range.<ref name="ArmyTechL2"/> The combined system allows the Leopard 2 to engage moving targets at ranges of up to {{cvt|5000|m}} whilst itself being on the move over rough terrain.

===Propulsion===
[[File:Leopard2 Triebwerk.jpg|thumb|The Leopard 2's MB 873 Ka-501 V12 engine]]
[[File:Leopard 2A4 - Turm.jpg|thumb|right|German Leopard 2A4 with turret snorkel, 2010]]

The Leopard 2 is propelled by the [[MTU Friedrichshafen|MTU]] MB 873 Ka-501 engine. It provides {{cvt|1500|PS|MW|lk=on|1}} at 2,600 [[Revolutions per minute|RPM]] and {{cvt|4700|Nm|lb·ft}} of [[torque]] at 1,600–1,700 RPM. The MTU MB 873 Ka-501 is a four-stroke, 47.7 litre, 90° V-block 12-cylinder, twin-turbocharged and intercooled, liquid-cooled diesel engine (with multi-fuel capability). It has an estimated fuel consumption rate of around 300 litres per 100&nbsp;km on roads and 500 litres per 100&nbsp;km across the country, and is coupled to the [[Renk HSWL 354]] gear and brake system.<ref name=frapdoL2/><ref name="ArmyTechL2"/>

The Renk HSWL 354 transmission has four forward and two reverse gears, with a [[torque converter]] and is completely automatic, with the driver selecting the range.<ref name=frapdoL2/> The Leopard 2 has four fuel tanks, which have a total capacity of approximately {{cvt|1160|l}}, giving a maximum road range of about {{cvt|500|km}}.<ref name=frapdoL2/> The propulsion pack is capable of driving the tank to a top road speed of {{cvt|68|kph}} (limited to {{cvt|50|kph}} during peacetime by law), and a top reverse speed of {{cvt|31|kph}}.<ref>{{cite book|title=Leopard 2 : Main Battle Tank, 1979–1998|last=Jerchel|first=Michael|year=1998|publisher=Osprey Military|others=Schnellbacher, Uwe|isbn=9781855326910|location=London|pages=D|oclc=40544103}}</ref> The power pack can be changed in the field in 35&nbsp;minutes.<ref name=frapdoL2/> The engine and transmission are separated from the crew compartment through a fireproof bulkhead.<ref name="ArmyTechL2"/> An enhanced version of the [[EuroPowerPack]], with a {{cvt|1650|PS|MW|1}} MTU MT883 engine has been trialled by the Leopard 2.<ref name="ArmyTechL2"/>

The Leopard 2 has a [[torsion bar suspension]] and has advanced friction dampers. The running gear consists of seven dual rubber-tired road wheels and four return rollers per side, with the idler wheel at the front and [[drive sprocket]] at the rear.<ref name=frapdoL2/> The tracks are Diehl 570F tracks, with rubber-bushed end connectors, which have removable rubber pads and use 82 links on each track. For use in icy ground, up to 18 rubber pads can be replaced by the same number of [[grouser]]s, which are stored in the vehicle's bow when not in use.<ref name=frapdoL2/> The upper part of the tracks are covered with side skirts.<ref name="JanesTank"/>

The Leopard 2 can drive through water {{convert|4|m}} deep using a [[Vehicle snorkel|snorkel]] or {{convert|1.2|m}} without any preparation. It can climb vertical obstacles over one metre high.

The German Army has prioritised mobility in the Leopard 2, which has made it one of the fastest MBTs in the world.<ref name="leopard 2 mobility">{{cite book|title=The Oxford companion to military history|year=2001|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=493, 902|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ro8YAAAAIAAJ&q=leopard+|author1=Front Cover Richard Holmes|author2=Hew Strachan|author3=Chris Bellamy|access-date=2011-04-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101184545/http://books.google.com/books?ei=MQ6aTYLeIIiL0QHr_-WHDA&ct=result&hl=com&id=ro8YAAAAIAAJ&dq=%22main+battle+tank%22&q=leopard+&redir_esc=y|archive-date=2014-01-01|url-status=live|isbn=9780198662099}}</ref>

Ukrainian forces have said that the Leopard 2 tank is only slightly louder than a diesel van. This lack of noise, they claim, gives them a tactical advantage during an ambush. One Ukrainian commander estimated that Russian forces only heard the Leopard 2 from {{cvt|200|m}}, during an ambush, compared to {{cvt|2|–|3|km}} for their older Soviet era tanks.<ref>{{cite news|title="Ukraine's Secret Weapon: The Whisper-Quiet Power of Leopard Tanks"|author=Jepp W.|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ukraine-s-secret-weapon-the-whisper-quiet-power-of-leopard-tanks/ar-AA1iluh7|access-date=2023-10-18|date=2023-10-17}}</ref>