The Pz 87 Leopard 2 is the Swiss designation of a Swiss licence built Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank. Pz stands for “Panzer” or rather “tank” in English and the 87 refers to the year deliveries of the first vehicles to the Swiss Army. The licence for the production of 380 vehicles was obtained in 1984. The first 35 vehicles were built-in and supplied by Germany while the rest were built-in Switzerland. Production ceased in 1993.

Pz 87 Leopard 2

The Pz 87 Leopard 2 differed from the Leopard 2A4 in that it uses AN/VCR 12 radio sets, has x2 7.5mm Machine Guns (coaxial and Cupola Mounted) and has additional snow grouses on the turrets side.

Another interesting addition to the vehicle is the large circular tubes mounted across the hull rear. These are actually muffler to reduce engine noise in built-up area’s.

A Pz 87 was used during the development phase of the joint KWS III project, to see if a 140mm bore calibre main gun could be installed on the Leopard 2. This would have required changes in the turret to accommodate the larger rounds and autoloader.

A single Pz 87 was fitted with a 140mm main gun, however Germany eventually went with the longer 120mm smoothbore (L55) and the Pz 87 prototype was reverted back to a standard gun tank.

: Pz 87 Leopard 2 – Early Pz 87 WE Prototype

: Pz 87 Leopard 2 – Latest in service model Pz 87 WE

: Pz 87 Leopard 2

: Pz 87 Leopard 2 140mm Main Gun

: Pz 87 Leopard 2 Engine Mufflers

The Pz 87 WE Leopard 2 (Werterhaltung) is the most modern version of the Pz 87. In 2013 the final Pz 87 WE of the 134 upgraded was delivered to the Swiss Army. In 2013 the final Pz 87 WE of the 134 upgraded was delivered to the Swiss Army. Of the remaining original Pz 87, a number have been sold to Canada and Germany. Others have been converted in to Combat Engineer Vehicles and others placed into storage.

Pz 87 Leopard 2 Tank Specifications

Firepower
Main Gun	Rheinmetall L44 – 120mm, calibre Length 44 smoothbore Elevation -9 to +20
Secondary Weapons	x1 coaxial 7.5mm MG, x1 7.5mm MG
Ammunition Storage	x42 120mm, x4,750 7.5mm
Mobility
Engine	MTU Mb 873 ka 501, turbocharged 1500hp Diesel
Transmission	RENK HSWL 354, 4 speed forward/2 reverse
Top Road Speed	68 km/h
Road Range	550km
Fuel Capacity	1160 litres
Vertical Obstacle	1.1m
Water Capability	1m (4m with Snorkel)
Trench Crossing	3m
Gradient	60%
Side Slope	30%
Dimensions
Length Gun Forward	9.67m
Length Hull	7.72m
Width	3.75m (with side front hull armor)
Height	2.48m (roof top)
Ground Clearance	0.54m
Weight	55,000kg aka 55 tonne combat
Protection
NBC Protected	Yes
Armor Type	Steel/Tungsten/Modular/
Active Protection Systems	No
Crew
Commander	Yes
Gunner	Yes
Loader	Yes
Driver	Yes
Additional Crew	—
Troops Carried	N/A