Tank origin

By 1994, Sweden had decided to upgrade its existing fleet of S-tanks. It turned to the export market and, in January 1994, began testing three designs as possible replacements: a version of the Leclerc; the M1A2 Abrams; and the Leopard 2 Improved, a prototype version of the Leopard 2A5. The Leopard was most successful in trials, leading the Swedish military to order 120 units that June. The design was modified with such changes as additional armor on the front hull, a new fire control system (FCS), and French smoke grenades, and the tank was brought into service as the Stridsvagn 122.