Tank origin

The Kpz.3 GST project had two variants. The first one looked like a classic tank destroyer. The second, the Kpz.3 GST Turm, had a turret with limited traverse where the whole crew was located. Both variants had a magazine reloading system in the center of the hull, as well as hydropneumatic suspension similar to that of the Kpz.70. It was assumed that the Kpz.3 would be a very fast combat vehicle with powerful frontal armor and a high rate of fire. However, neither variant appealed to Bundeswehr decision makers, and so the Leopard 2 line was developed further instead.