# Leopard 2A4M CAN
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{{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](/source/MSPO) in Poland, 2012
| type = [Main battle tank](/source/Main_battle_tank)
| origin = [Germany](/source/Germany)
| is_ranged = yes
| is_vehicle = yes
| service = [Canadian Army](/source/Canadian_Army)
| used_by =
| wars = [War in Afghanistan](/source/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001-2021)) (Dec. 2010 - Jul. 2011)
| designer = [KMW](/source/KNDS_Deutschland)
| developed_from = [Leopard 2A4](/source/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](/source/Composite_armor), add-on [slat armor](/source/slat_armor), and [anti-mine armor](/source/anti-tank_mine)
| primary_armament = 1 x [Rh-120 L/44](/source/Rheinmetall_Rh-120)
| secondary_armament = 2 x [C6](/source/FN_MAG) 7.62-mm [coaxial](/source/coaxial_machine_gun) [medium machine gun](/source/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}}
Off-road - {{Convert|220|km|mi}}
| speed = On-road - {{Convert|68|km/h|mph}}
Off-road - {{Convert|40|km/h|mph}}
| 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}}]
}}
The '''Leopard 2A4M CAN''' is a [Canadian](/source/Canada) export variant of the [Leopard 2](/source/Leopard_2) [main battle tank](/source/main_battle_tank) developed by [German](/source/Germany) defense company [KMW](/source/KNDS_Deutschland). After the lessons learnt by the [Canadian Army](/source/Canadian_Army) with the Leopard 2A4M and 2A6M in [Afghanistan](/source/War_in_Afghanistan_(2001%E2%80%932021)), 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.[{{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}}] 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 mine](/source/anti-tank_mine)s and [IEDs](/source/IEDs), as well as an improved electrical drive, improved gunner's optics and commander controls, and better crew cooling.[{{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}}][{{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}}] Though originally planned to be up-gunned to the [Rheinmetall](/source/Rheinmetall) [L/55](/source/Rheinmetall_Rh-120) 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](/source/Rheinmetall_Rh-120). Only small areas of [slat armor](/source/slat_armour) 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](/source/applique_armor) resembling that found on the most recent Leopard 2A7+ variant, but modified to fit the turret configuration of the 2A4.[{{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}}]
== 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](/source/Munich) facility.[{{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}}] They were then delivered to the Canadian Army in October 2010, after which five were deployed to [Hindu Kush](/source/Hindu_Kush), Afghanistan where they supported [ISAF](/source/International_Security_Assistance_Force) forces until July 2011 when combat operations halted.