Canada buys more Leopard 2s
The Canadian armed forces has purchased 12 surplus Leopard 2 (Pz 87 Leo) main battle tanks (MBT) from Switzerland.
Due to be converted to ‘protected special vehicles’, the MBTs will be supplied without armament and further components, Switzerland’s defence procurement agency, Armasuisse said in a statement on 10 February. The agency has been tasked with the performance of the contract and the sale of surplus equipment.
The reduction of Swiss military strength, in line with wider reform of the armed forces, has led to the divesture of various weapon systems, including the Pz 87 Leo.
According to the statement, this particular MBT is one of the many systems which are no longer needed in the originally procured quantity.
The vehicles will be stripped of, among other things, armament, radios and intercom systems. Parts not included will be retained by the Swiss as spares.
Under a similar contract announced by Armasuisse on 11 November 2010, the Swiss forces sold 42 surplus Pz 87 Leos to Rheinmetall Landsysteme, part of the consortium in Germany that produced the Leopard 2.
Between 1987 and 1993, 380 Pz 87 Leo MBTs were accepted by the Swiss forces. Of these, 134 combat vehicles were subjected to a quality maintenance programme, said Armasuisse. The Swiss MBT has reached the first half of its planned service life, and is to be adapted to its changing requirements.
In addition to the Swiss contracts, on 17 December 2010 it was announced by Rheinmetall that its Canadian division was contracted to modernise and overhaul 42 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks sold from the Dutch armed forces to the Canadian Army. The work is expected to be completed by the start of 2012.
More from Land Warfare
-
![SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)]()
SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)
At SOF Week 2026, Pro-Shot Defense discusses the maintenance technologies and weapon support tools designed to keep special operations forces mission ready in the world’s harshest environments.
-
![Sweden looks to commercial world to meet military UGV needs]()
Sweden looks to commercial world to meet military UGV needs
Stockholm is exploring commercial avenues to provide a small uncrewed ground vehicle capable of carrying 500kg with a focus on challenging terrains and C2 systems.
-
![Are counter-drone systems for dismounted troops emerging as the next procurement battle?]()
Are counter-drone systems for dismounted troops emerging as the next procurement battle?
As uncrewed aerial systems and loitering munitions evolve, it is increasingly necessary for counter-uncrewed solutions to keep pace in order to protect not only military facilities and platforms but also dismounted troops.
-
![NATO’s Crystal Arrow factors in Ukrainian UGV lessons as European interest grows]()
NATO’s Crystal Arrow factors in Ukrainian UGV lessons as European interest grows
One goal of NATO’s Exercise Crystal Arrow was to identify the potential uses of uncrewed ground vehicles – as seen on the Ukrainian battlefield – and put platforms into the hands of users.
-
![SOF Week 2026: Galvion unveils Cortex Evo integrated combat helmet]()
SOF Week 2026: Galvion unveils Cortex Evo integrated combat helmet
Galvion has introduced its Cortex Evo integrated head system, combining ballistic protection, power, data and processing capabilities within a single combat helmet architecture.
