The Leopard 1 is a main battle tank designed and produced by Porsche in West Germany that first entered service in 1965. Developed in an era when HEAT warheads were thought to make conventional heavy armour of limited value, the Leopard focused on firepower in the form of the German-built version of the British L7 105-mm gun, and improved cross-country performance that was unmatched by other designs of the era.
Production of the leopard 1 was set up at Krauss-Maffei of Munich from early 1964 onward, with deliveries of the first batch between September 1965 and July 1966. The Leopard was soon being purchased from Germany by a number of NATO members and other allies, including (in chronological order) Belgium (1968), the Netherlands (1969), Norway (1970), Italy (1971), Denmark (1976), Australia (1976), Canada (1978), Turkey (1980) and Greece (1981).
The Leopard 1A3 is based on the Leopard 1 which originated from West Germany and first entered service in 1965. Designed by Porsche, 110 Leopard 1A3s were ordered from the fifth batch of vehicles from the Leopard Project which started in 1965 aiming to develop a modern tank to replace the American M47 and the M48 Patton tanks which were quickly becoming outdated in Germany's reestablished army.
It weighs more than 40 tonnes, is about 10 meters long, has an engine of 820 horsepower, withstands 20mm hits from all sides and can operate in radioactive wastelands and areas contaminated with chemicals weapons. It also had a 105mm British L7A3 gun as it's main weapon loaded with 55 rounds and either twin 7.62 x 2mm MG 3s or twin Belgian FN MAGs situated on the top of the tank.
