Leopard 2A4M CAN

{{Short description|Canadian Leopard 2A4 Variant}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Leopard 2A4M CAN | image = File:MSPO 2012 (18).jpg | image_size = | alt = Leopard 2A4M CAN tank presented at the MSPO 2012 expo | caption = Leopard 2A4M CAN on display at the MSPO in Poland, 2012 | type = Main battle tank | origin = Germany  | is_ranged = yes | is_vehicle = yes  | service = Canadian Army | used_by = | wars = War in Afghanistan (Dec. 2010 - Jul. 2011)  | designer = KMW | developed_from = Leopard 2A4 | production_date = 2009 | number = 20  | mass = Empty - {{convert|55,150|kg|t}} Combat - {{convert|57,200|kg|t}} | length = {{convert|9.67|m|ft}} | width = {{convert|3.70|m|ft}} | height = {{convert|2.90|m|ft}} | crew = 4  | armour = Composite armor, add-on slat armor, and anti-mine armor | primary_armament = 1 x Rh-120 L/44 | secondary_armament = 2 x C6 7.62-mm coaxial medium machine gun | engine = MTU MB 873 Ka-501 | engine_power = {{cvt|1500|hp}} | pw_ratio = | payload_capacity = | drive = | transmission = | suspension = | clearance = | fuel_capacity = {{Convert|1160|l|abbr=off|0}} | vehicle_range = On-road - {{Convert|340|km|mi}}<br>Off-road - {{Convert|220|km|mi}} | speed = On-road - {{Convert|68|km/h|mph}}<br>Off-road - {{Convert|40|km/h|mph}}  | ref = <ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2013-03-08 |title=Leopard 2 Family of Vehicles |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/army/services/equipment/vehicles/leopard-2a4-tank.html |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref> }}

The '''Leopard 2A4M CAN''' is a Canadian export variant of the Leopard 2 main battle tank developed by German defense company KMW. After the lessons learnt by the Canadian Army with the Leopard 2A4M and 2A6M in Afghanistan, they partnered with KMW to implement the upgrades they saw necessary. This includes the "M" mine protection armor, generally increased protection, a new electrical drive, and improved crew cooling.

== Development == After using the Leopard 2A6M with increased belly armor in Afghanistan, the Canadian armed forces saw the need for a similarly-improved Leopard 2A4.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-27 |title=Canadian Forces Armour — Leopard 2A6M CAN Main Battle Tank |url=http://www.casr.ca/101-army-armour-leopard-2a6m.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627144153/http://www.casr.ca/101-army-armour-leopard-2a6m.htm |archive-date=June 27, 2010 |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=Canadian American Strategic Review}}</ref> To accomplish this, the Leopard 2A4M CAN also received the "M" mine protection armor (but not the side bar armor) to protect the tank from anti-tank mines and IEDs, as well as an improved electrical drive, improved gunner's optics and commander controls, and better crew cooling.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Leopard 2A4M CAN Tank {{!}} Canadian Army upgraded Leopard 2A4 |url=https://fighting-vehicles.com/tanks/leopard-2a4m-can/ |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=FightingVehicles.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-11-23 |title=Canadian Army deploys 15 Leopard 2A4M CAN tanks in Latvia |url=https://armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2023/canadian-armed-forces-deploy-15-leopard-2a4m-tanks-in-latvia |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=armyrecognition.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Though originally planned to be up-gunned to the Rheinmetall L/55 for consistency with the 2A6M CAN, the longer barrelled guns (optimised for tank-vs-tank warfare) were found to be less than ideal in Afghanistan, therefore it was decided to retain the L/44. Only small areas of slat armor were added, in contrast with the fully caged 2A6M CANs. The protection of the Leopard 2A4M CAN has been further augmented by the addition of applique armor resembling that found on the most recent Leopard 2A7+ variant, but modified to fit the turret configuration of the 2A4.<ref>{{cite web |date=February 2011 |title=Background — Canadian Forces Upgraded Leopard 2A4M Tanks |url=http://www.casr.ca/bg-leopard-2a4m.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110401120025/http://www.casr.ca/bg-leopard-2a4m.htm |archive-date=2011-04-01 |access-date=2025-03-03 |publisher=Canadian-American Strategic Review}}</ref>

== Operational history ==

=== Afghanistan === In July 2009, Canada commissioned KMW to upgrade 20 2A4s to the standard of the 2A6M. These 2A4s would be refitted at KMW's Munich facility.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Foss |first=Christopher F. |url=https://archive.org/details/janesarmourartil0000unse/mode/2up?q=%22Leopard+2A4M%22&view=theater |title=Jane's armour and artillery 2011-2012 |publisher=IHS Jane's |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7106-2960-9 |edition=32nd |pages=42}}</ref> They were then delivered to the Canadian Army in October 2010, after which five were deployed to Hindu Kush, Afghanistan where they supported ISAF forces until July 2011 when combat operations halted.<ref name=":0" />

=== Latvia === In June 2023, Canadian Minister of Defense Anita Anand announced that 15 of the 2A4M CANs (and the necessary support personnel and equipment) would be deployed to Latvia to bolster NATO's military strength in Eastern Europe. The justification behind this was increasing defensive presence in the region during the Russo-Ukrainian War. These tanks were delivered on November 10 of the same year.<ref name=":1" />

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Main battle tanks of Germany