On July 14, 2023, Aselsan, a Turkish defense company, was selected by Fábricas y Maestranzas del Ejército (Famae) as a strategic partner to modernize the fleet of Leopard 2A4 tanks for the Chilean Army.
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Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank (Picture source: wikimedia )
The agreement is part of the Proaco project initiated by the Directorate of Army Projects and Research in 2018 to address technological and logistical obsolescence issues in the Leopard 2A4 tanks, Marder 1A3 armored vehicles, and self-propelled howitzers M109. Leveraging its expertise in modernizing various tank models, including the Leopard 1, Leopard 2, and M60 for the Turkish Army and the T-72A for the Kazakhstan Army, Aselsan will contribute its capabilities to upgrade the Chilean tanks.
According to the Military Balance of 2022, Chile is reported to have 173 Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles, 48 self-propelled howitzers M109, and finally 140 Leopard 2A4 tanks.
The Leopard 2A4 is in service with multiple countries worldwide, including Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, and, of course, Chile. Equipped with additional features such as infrared night vision systems and NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection, the tank enhances situational awareness and provides increased protection against chemical and biological threats on the battlefield.
At the core of the Leopard 2A4's firepower is its 120mm L55 smoothbore gun. It is complemented by a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and an anti-aircraft 7.62mm machine gun mounted on the top of the loader hatch, enabling the tank to counter various threats effectively.
To ensure crew protection, the Leopard 2A4 is equipped with standard spaced multilayer armor, with improved armor protection on the front turret and interior, fitted with spall liners. This configuration offers enhanced defense against enemy fire and explosives, ensuring improved crew safety.
With a range of 500 km and a maximum road speed of 72 km/h, the Leopard 2A4 is capable of carrying out long-range missions without frequent refueling, while maintaining high mobility. The tank's crew consists of four members: a tank commander, gunner, loader, and driver.
The dimensions of the Leopard 2A4 are notable, with a length of 7.70 m, width of 3.70 m, and height of 3.00 m. Its commanding presence on the battlefield contributes to its stability and maneuverability.
Aselsan's proposed technologies include electric drive systems for the turret and cannon, periscopes for the gunner and commander, vision systems for the driver, a combat management system (BMS), a laser warning system, an identification friend or foe (IFF) system, active protection technology, remote weapon system to counter asymmetric threats, and advanced armor.
The modernization of Leopard 2A4 tanks by Aselsan will provide the Chilean Army with state-of-the-art equipment, enhancing their operational capabilities on modern battlefields. This collaboration also showcases Aselsan's international defense expertise and capacity to deliver cutting-edge solutions for armed forces worldwide.
