Polish Company Zakłady Mechaniczne „BUMAR-ŁABĘDY” S.A. introduces the Leopard 2PL M1 Main Battle Tank (MBT) at MSPO 2021, an improved version of the Leopard 2PL MBT that begins to enter into service with the Polish Army. The Leopard 2PL is a modernized version of the German-made Leopard 2A4 MBT already in service with the Polish army.
The Leopard 2PL M1 Main Battle Tank at MSPO 2021, International Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The Leopard 2PL is a modernized version of the Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank (MBT) acquired by Poland in the 2000s. The modernization is currently being carried out in cooperation with the German company Rheinmetall and the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) under the umbrella of Polish company BUMAR.
The Leopard 2PL is armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun which has been developed by Rheinmetall and fires two types of ammunition, APFSDS-T and HEAT-MP-T. . A 7.62mm coaxial machine gun is mounted to the left side of the main armament and one 7.62mm machine gun to the hatch of the loader.
The Leopard 2PL project aims to significantly improve the combat capabilities of the Leopard 2A4 tanks used so far in the Polish army, in terms of firepower, ballistic protection and situational awareness, as well as crew work comfort, with wide involvement of the national defense industry.
Modernization to the 2PL standard includes, among others, replacement of the hydraulic stabilization system of the cannon and turret drive with electric ones, improvement of the Rh-120 L44 smoothbore gun, and its adaptation to new types of ammunition.
The Leopard 2PL M1 features new improvements including the PIX function allowing the PERI R17 commander's observation device to be automatically set to the position from 0° to 180° according to the tank direction. The crew can also select the last or first echo of the laser range finder. The tank is also equipped with an automatic extinguishing fire fighting system in APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) compartment.
For the engine, the Leopard 2PL M1 is fitted with a cold-weather start system, allowing to start the engine without restart electronic devices as well as micro charging battery for the tank during storage. Other improvements also include active cooling for the electronics controller compartment of the "EWNA" guidance and stabilization system and integration of thermal identification system for friendly troops or Foe.
