Jenoptik To Supply Electro-Mechanical Stabilisation Systems For Leapard MBTs

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has awarded a €15.7 million contract to Jenoptik to supply electro-mechanical turret and weapon stabilisation systems for the Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) and Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) self-propelled howitzers.

Supplied by Jenoptik's Defense & Civil Systems division, the contract covers delivery of these for a total of 62 Leopard 2 tanks and 24 PzH 2000 vehicles.

Jenoptik's Defense & Civil Systems division also supplies target acquisition systems and mirror heads for the Leopard 2's gunner targeting device to another German OEM.

The Leopard 2 is a successor to the Leopard 1 MBT, and is designed to engage moving targets while moving over rough terrain.

Equipped with digital fire-control systems with laser rangefinders, a fully-stabilised main gun and coaxial machine gun, and advanced night vision and sighting equipment, various Leopard 2 variants are currently operational with the armed forces of Germany and other European and non-European nations.

Manufactured by KMW in collaboration with Rheinmetall Land Systems, the PzH 2000 is a 155mm self-propelled howitzer capable of continuous firing between ten and 13 rounds per minute depending on barrel heat.

Operated by a five member crew, the howitzer is fully compatible with standard Nato 155mm ammunition, and has automatic support for multiple rounds simultaneous impact (MRSI) for up to five rounds.