![]() ![]() Further 20 combat-ready Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks are to be ‘borrowed’ from Germany, to replace currently deployed Leopard 1C2 tanks before the summer. For comparison, Australia recently bought 66 M-1A1/M88 tanks and support equipment (trucks, transporters and trainers) for A$500 (US$416 million.) Canada acquired 100 surplus Leopard 2 A5 and A6 tanks from the Netherlands at a cost of C$650 million ($574 million). Furthermore, the cost of surplus equipment is significantly lower than that of brand new equipment. Procurement of new production tanks was also considered, but due to the limited production capacities maintained by western producers, such tanks could be guaranteed only in several years time. However, this option was ruled out as the maintenance of these 30 year old behemoths has become too expensive and their future is doomed anyhow – by 2012 – 2015 the Leopard 1 is expected to become obsolete by western standards. ![]() The most obvious was to upgrade and refurbish the existing Leopard 1C2 tanks. ![]() Seeking a solution to renovate its heavy armor, Canada considered several options. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |