Tank origin

Complications in creating a design that could fit the requirements of both the United States and Germany caused the MBT-70/Kampfpanzer 70 project to falter, ultimately being cancelled by both countries in 1969. Using the lessons learned from the program, the Germans pursued a design that specifically met the needs of the Bundeswehr which resulted in the Leopard 2. As a legacy of the KPz 70 program, initially a missile and cannon version were specified, but the final design was narrowed to a cannon only solution. Both torsion bar and hydropneumatic suspensions were tested, with the torsion bar winning out for manufacturing simplicity. First deliveries of the Leopard 2 began in 1979. Sporting a 120mm smoothbore gun, a 1250 hp Daimler-Benz engine, composite armor, gun stabilization, a hunter-killer vision system and advanced fire controls, the Leopard 2 series became the mainstay of NATO forces, and saw service by 16 other countries, including countries outside of NATO. Manufactured by Germany