Editing Leopard 2 (section)

===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>