Belgian army withdraws Leopard 1 MBTs
The Belgian military’s land component conducted a final live fire exercise with the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Leopard 1 MBT on 10 September, it has emerged.
One of the last NATO members to operate the 43t Leopard 1, Belgium purchased 334 Leopard 1A1s in the late 1960s, 132 of which were upgraded to 1A5 (BE) standards in the mid-1990s by installing a new fire control system and thermal sight.
Being surplus to requirements after the Cold War, most of the Leopard 1s that were not upgraded were sold to Brazil. While the Belgian military officially still has an inventory of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise]()
MyDefence delivers counter-drone system to US Army ahead of livefire exercise
The Soldier-Kit system consists of detector, jammer, tablet and wideband antenna and is being evaluated as part of Project Flytrap 3.0 counter uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) exercise.
-
![Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles]()
Arquus and Milrem push their UGVs fitted with long-range missiles
Arquus displayed the Drailer uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) integrating the Akeron LP long-range missile at the Techterre technology demonstrator event ahead of trials in September.
-
![Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation]()
Czech CAESAR howitzer order at risk of cancellation
The Czech Republic ordered 52 CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie (CAESAR) self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) in 2021 and added another 10 a year later. A cancellation of the programme would impact both the army’s capabilities and local industry which is involved in the manufacture.
-
![Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells]()
Sweden turns to Nammo and Rheinmetall as world demand grows for 155mm shells
Demand for ammunition continues to increase with manufacturing capability growing to match. Sweden have turned to the two supply lines of Rheinmetall and Nammo as part of a Nordic effort to meet demand. The Polish Government has also announced a US$700 million investment to boost manufacture of munitions.
-
![Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars]()
Malaysia signs for two additional GM400α air surveillance radars
The order is in addition to two systems ordered in 2023. It forms part of a family of systems which is becoming widely used and part of a growing demand for the capability, both in deliveries and requirements.
