What the 2A6 changed
The 2A6 replaced the 2A5's 120 mm L/44 gun with the L/55, which is 1.3 m longer. The longer barrel gives armor-piercing rounds more time to accelerate, raising muzzle velocity and penetration at long range. The 2A6 also added an auxiliary power unit, improved sights and the wedge-shaped turret armor introduced on the 2A5.
Germany converted 225 tanks to 2A6 standard. A 2A6M version added extra mine protection under the hull; Canada borrowed and then bought 2A6M-standard tanks for Afghanistan.
Leopard 2A6 specifications
| Weight | 62.3 t |
| Length (gun forward) | 10.97 m |
| Width | 3.75 m |
| Height | 3.0 m |
| Main gun | Rheinmetall 120 mm L/55 smoothbore |
| Secondary | Two 7.62 mm MG3 |
| Engine | MTU MB 873 Ka-501, 1,500 hp |
| Top speed | About 68–70 km/h |
| Crew | 4 |
Who operates the 2A6
Germany, the Netherlands (until 2011), Portugal and Finland (both ex-Dutch), Canada (2A6M CAN), Spain (licence-built Leopard 2E), Greece (Leopard 2HEL) and Ukraine.
The 2A6 in Ukraine
Germany delivered 18 Leopard 2A6s in March 2023, together with two Bergepanzer 3 Büffel recovery vehicles. Portugal added three, giving Ukraine a full company of 21. They went into action in the June 2023 counteroffensive in Zaporizhzhia, where minefields, drones and artillery stopped Ukrainian columns and several Leopards and Bradleys were knocked out near Mala Tokmachka. Crews generally survived thanks to the tank's protection, and many damaged tanks were recovered and repaired. Russia later put a captured 2A6 on display in Moscow. See Leopard tanks in Ukraine.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Leopard 2A5 and 2A6?
The 2A6 adds the longer L/55 gun and an auxiliary power unit; the armor layout is largely the same.
How many Leopard 2A6 did Ukraine get?
21 in 2023: 18 from Germany and 3 from Portugal.
How heavy is the Leopard 2A6?
About 62.3 tonnes.