“Singapore bought Leopard 2A4s!!” And the next thing that happened, my phone got several SMS, my email had a few referene to this, and even my RSS reader has that news on it.
Well, about bloody damned time. Even though during my time in NS, I served beside the SM-1, I have always considered that the SM-1 the weakest link in the up and coming 3G SAF. I simply cannot envision the electronic systems available to the Bionix II being fitted into that tank. And note, I am not saying anything about the effectiveness or the ability of that tank at all. It has served Singapore well, and it’s just simply time for it to take its place in the history of our national defense.
The Leopard 2 is a natural choice for a replacement. After all, it was nominated the best tank by one Discovery Channel documentary. Even without Chobham armour, it comes with adequate protection with its perforated armor and it definitely is value for money. The multi-fuel engine beats the M1’s gas-turbine – essentially a jet engine – hands down by not being a logistical nightmare, be it refuelling it or maintaining it. (And it’s not like the Americans will sell it to us, right?)
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The Leopard 2 has a 120mm smooth-bore gun, typically the standard calibre main armament among many modern Western Main Battle Tanks [MBTs] today, and probably almost the limit the calibre of tank guns can go. The reason for that, according to one of my tankie officers, is that it would be very difficult for a loader handle the ammunition if the calibre continue to increase, but that doesn’t mean that an automatic loader won’t be in the works. [A 140mm is already in the works, however.] But whatever the merits of the German Leopard 2, the Merkava will always be the MBT of my choice. Just like the T-34 is a symbol of the might of the Soviet Union in World War II, the Merkava is a fusion of the tenacity and the engineering might of the Jewish people and the Israeli State. So here’s a video as a tribute to the Merkava Mk.4: Once and Forever King of MBTs. |
This article on leopard 2 is very informative. Thanks for sharing.
The story, history, design team, reasons for certain features, technology, state-of-the-art break-throughs, modifications, scale models, walk arounds, museum displays, videos and achievements can all be found at the web site: http://www.supervideo.com/MXCD-ROMOS.htm including HUGE blow-up images.