Leontas 2
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| Leontas 2 | |
|---|---|
| File:Leontas 2A1.png A Leontas 2A1 of the 10th Armoured Brigade "Etolia" | |
| Type | Main Battle Tank |
| Place of origin |  Chalcia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2012-Present |
| Used by | see users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | EVO Thrakian Arms DA-MP Arms |
| Designed | Leontas 1 (1996-2001) Leontas 2 (2007-2012) |
| Manufacturer | ELVO |
| Unit cost | $5.74 million |
| Produced | 2010 (Leontas 2 prototype) |
| Specifications (Main Battle Tank) | |
| Weight | 54 tonnes |
| Length | 9.52 m (31.2 ft) |
| Width | 3.61 m (11.8 ft) |
| Height | 2.45 m (8.0 ft) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | 3rd generation composite; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component. Hard-kill ADS (2A2 variant) |
Main armament | 120 mm TA M210 smoothbore gun |
Secondary armament | 1 × .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun with 900 rounds 1 x 7.62 mm MG3A1 (4,750 rounds) |
| Engine | Achelos MBO4 diesel engine, 1,479 hp |
| Payload capacity | x42 main gun rounds, x5,650 machine gun rounds |
| Suspension | Torsion-bars, hydraulic dampers |
Operational range | 600 km |
| Speed | 70 km/h |
The Leontas 2 is a Chalcian main battle tank, based on the Aquidish Ariete MBT. While technically the first domestic Chalcian main battle tank to enter full scale production, the number "2" in the name indicates that it is the second development in the Leontas tank project, with the original Leontas 1 being cancelled in 2001 after reaching only the prototype stage. The Leontas 2 was co-designed by the Chalcian EVO (Ethinki Viomihania Oximaton; National Vehicle Industry) and the Auidish DA-MP Arms corporation, the original designer of the Ariete tank. While the outside appearance of the tank resembles the Ariete to a degree, most of the components used are original local designs or locally modified variants of foreign designs. The vehicle entered mass production in 2012 and over 100 have been delivered to Chalcian Army units. The Leontas 2 is intended to replace most foreign MBTs from Chalcian service within the next 10 years.
Development and design
Leontas 1 and cancellation of the project
The Leontas Project as it was named started back in 1996. Chalcian military command had closely monitored the development the Ariete main battle tank of Aquidneck since its introduction one year earlier, as a new MBT for Chalcia was needed to replace and complement the aging fleet of MBTs in the country's arsenal. The Ariete was one of the potential candidates. It was decided that the new main battle tank's should use mostly local components to decrease the dependency on foreign sources. As such, the National Vehicle Industry contacted the Aquidish DA-MP Arms, the designer of the Ariete, and the Leontas Project started for the creation of a Chalcian variant of the Aquidish tank.
Two Ariete tanks were delivered to Chalcia, and the DA-MP and EVO teams were put to work. Two prototypes were ready by 1997, however, due to internal economic and political strife in Chalcia after the collapse of the Free Chalcia government, the project was met with obstacles. Funding was cut back heavily during the 1997-1999 period, however, work still continued on the tank. Several new prototypes were prepared, but during trials they were deemed unsatisfactory by the military inspectors. The deadline of 2001 was set for the design team, while simultaneously, the Army organised a competition for foreign designs to take place in 2000. The newest prototype of the Leontas 1 took part in the competiion alongside the original Ariete, the Tyronovoan Streikende II, Midrasian Leclerc, Newreyan Challenger 2, as well as the Lhaeraidh Grendel Mk.1. The Streikende II outperformed the other competitors, and a starter order of 180 vehicles was placed in 2001. The Leontas Project was cancelled.
Leontas 2 prototype, 2A1 and 2A2 production variants
The revival of the Leontas Project took place in 2007, under the initiative of then-Minister of National Defence Ioannis Georgiou. The issue of extensive reliance on foreign sources for equipment was again brought to the table, and the re-stabilised Chalcian economy could again support a main battle tank project. As such, work started on the Leontas 2, as it was named. DA-MP technicians again traveled to Chalcia and worked with the local teams on the new tank. However, this time the tank would be almost entirely locally-made. A brand-new hull was designed, with mostly Chalcian internal systems, though some were derived from the Streikende II and the Ariete. The prototype used the Ariete turret from the original tanks delivered back in 1996, but the FCS and shared commander and gunner sight were of local design. Testing took place in 2008, where the prototype proved to be on par with the recently delivered 26M variant of the Streikende II.
The recently nationalised Thrakian Arms was contracted to design a new turret for the production version. The Chalcian turret had an increased sloped on the turret's front, and featured a new composite armour blend of local design. Also featured on the turret was the Ajax PDAA7 separate commander's sight with thermal imaging within the new Corax Remotely Controlled Weapons Station which incorporates a .50 cal HMG and can rotate 360 degrees. The gunner's Velos DPA15 sight with thermal imagine was retained from the original Leontas 2 as part of the Ermes Fire Control System. A slightly larger turret bustle was included, that would provide the crew with 20 ready rounds in the turret instead of the previous 17. Thrakian Arms also provided an the improved M210 gun, an improved version of the 120 mm smoothbore on the original design, while Achelos Industries supplied a new purpose-built 1,500 hp engine that increased the vehicles power to weight ratio. This was the first production variant, known as Leontas 2A1, and entered mass production in 2012.
A new, upgraded variant, the Leontas 2A2, entered production in 2017, with thirteen tanks delivered to the Army by 2018. The 2A2 can easily be recognised additional armour on the turret and hull of the tank, that provide the vehicle with additional protection against both kinetic and chemical energy threats. Additionally, the gunner received the improved Ermes-2 fire control system with the new DPA15M2 sight. The 2A2 received the improved M210M2, allowing it to fire LAHAT anti-tank guided missile through the barrel, the missile can engage targets out to a range of 6,000 metres (20,000 ft). Another new feature of the tank that was optional for the older variant but comes as factory standard with the Leontas 2A2, is the Aspis Active Protection System. The Aspis APS system is a Chalcian variant of the Trophy APS, and features an F/G band fire-control radar with four flat-panel antennas mounted on the vehicle, with a 360-degree field of view. When a projectile is detected, the internal computer calculates an approach vector almost instantly, before it arrives. Once the incoming weapon is fully classified, the computers calculate the optimal time and angle to fire the neutralizers. The response comes from two rotating launchers installed on the sides of the vehicle which fire neutralizing agents, usually small metal pellets like buckshot. The system is designed to have a very small kill zone, so as not to endanger personnel adjacent to the protected vehicle.
EAP upgrades
In 2015, Thrankian Arms introduced the EAP package for the Leontas 2A1. EAP stands for Exoplismos Astikiou Polemou (Urban Warfare Equipment). The package includes: an ERA kit made up of Thyreos Modules, that covers the sides of the tank, slat armour kit that covers the rear of the hull and turret, a armoured gun shield and a thermal sight system for the loader's top-mounted MG3A1 7.62 mm machine gun as well as an infantry telephone mounted on the rear of the tank, which allows supporting infantry to communicate with the tank commander. The TUSK system is a field-installable kit that allows tanks to be upgraded without needing to be recalled to a maintenance depot.
Service history
Export
Variants
- Leontas 1 – The Leontas 1 was the original project that started in 1996. It more closely resembled the Ariete. The project was abandoned in 2001.
- Leontas 2 – Pototype version with the original Ariete turret and locally designed hull.
- Leontas 2A1 - Original production variant with the more sloped Chalcian turret and additional local components. The 2A1E variant is the export model of 2A1 and features different FCS and downgradred armour.
- Leontas 2A2 - Upgraded variant that entered production in 2017. Features additional armour package, improved gun and an improved FCS. The 2A2E variant is the export model of 2A1 and features different FCS and downgradred armour.
- Leontas 2A3 - Proposed future upgrade. Infromation is highly classified, but it is assumed that the vehicle will feature an autoloader and possibly a 130 mm gun.
Operators
- Chalcia : As of the 19th of October 2018, the Chalcian Army operate 246 Leontas 2 MBTs, including 13 2A2 variants. The vehicles are operated by the 10th and 11th Armoured Brigades.
- Template:Country data Kazhwir: 62 Leontas 2A1Es (two batches of 31) have been delivered in the 2014-2015 period. Another delivery of 31 Leontas 2A2Es is pending.
See also
Tanks of comparable role, performance and era