Leopard 2E

The Leopard 2E is the Spanish version of the battle tank developed in Germany in the early 1970s to replace the Leopard 1, as the main tank of the German Army. Over the past decades it has received numerous updates and improvements, making it one of the most advanced armored vehicles in the world. That is why it has become the first option for twelve other European countries and forces from other parts of the world.

His participation in conflicts has been common since he participated in the Kosovo conflict with German forces. Since then he has been seen in combat operations in Afghanistan under ISAF forces, mainly Danish and Canadian.

The Leopard 2E is, without a doubt, its most modern and powerful version. It has improved armor, as well as the latest target detection technology. Its design is characterized by its imposing 120mm Rheinmetall cannon and its multi-layer armor, which make it one of the most protected armored vehicles in the world. In addition, it has two 7.62mm MG3 machine guns and 16 smoke-launching mortars. It was developed jointly by Germany and Spain.

Soldado revisando los morteros fumígenos de un Leopardo 2E
Soldier checking the smoke mortars of a Leopard 2E

NOW

The Spanish Army has 219 Leopard 2E tanks, which together with the 280 Leopard 2 tanks and the 108 Leopard 2 A4 tanks, represent its armored vanguard. The Leopard 2E are distributed among several brigades of the Army. Its main supporters are the ‘Guadarrama XII’ Armored Infantry Brigade, from the ‘El Goloso’ base, in Madrid, and the ‘Guzmán el Bueno’ Mechanized Infantry Brigade, from the Cerro Muriano base, in Córdoba.

Leopardo 2E en una exhibición militar por el Día de las Fuerzas Armadas
Leopard 2E in a military exhibition for Armed Forces Day

To date, the Spanish Leopard 2E has never entered combat, as it has not been deployed to combat operations in which Spain has participated (Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq). Despite this, the Juan Carlos I strategic projection ship has been designed to be able to carry up to 46 Leopard 2E battle tanks. Whether on an international mission, or in Spanish territory, this armored vehicle is destined to be the spearhead of any armored operation of the Army.