More Leopard 2PL tanks set off to Wesoła

PGZ’s press release

A formal acceptance procedure of another batch of Leopard 2PL tanks was completed last week in Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy comany. The upgraded vehicles will be used by the 1st Tadeusz Kościuszko Warsaw Armoured Brigade.

The PGZ Consortium, performing the contract concluded with the Armament Inspectorate for the upgrade of Leopard 2A4 tanks to the 2PL standard, delivered another consignment of upgraded vehicles to Wesoła, where the 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade is stationed. 11 tanks passed the acceptance procedure this year, others are waiting for completion procedures.

‘The Consortium is working intensively on the next consignment of Leopards. If we manage to close the current negotiations quickly, we will be able to deliver another 7 vehicles of the vehicle consignments being upgraded by the Polish industry this year. At the same time, we are closely cooperating with our foreign partner on 6 vehicles, so that the tanks being upgraded in Germany could be delivered to the Polish Armed Forces as soon as possible also’ stated Elżbieta Wawrzynkiewicz, President of the Management Board of Zakłady Mechaniczne Bumar-Łabędy.

The upgrade of 2A4 tanks to the 2PL standard is aimed at improving crew safety, precision and the striking power. The project includes, among other things, replacement of hydraulic stabilization systems of the gun as well as the turret drive systems with electric ones, improvement of the smoothbore gun Rh-120 L44 and its adaptation to new types of ammunition, including ones that are programmable, while maintaining the possibility of using domestic munitions.

Leopard 2PL is also equipped with new optoelectronic systems: 3rd generation type KLW-1 Asteria thermal imaging cameras in the observation and targeting instruments of the commander and the gun operator. The tank turret is equipped with additional armour modules and anti-shrapnel pads. The vehicle interior has been equipped with fire-fighting and explosion protection systems. Service scope covers all the tanks and is mainly performed by the forces of the Polish armaments industry.

Works are carried out by the Consortium PGZ – Zakłady Mechaniczne “BUMAR-ŁABĘDY”. Other entities of the Group are also involved in the upgrade of the Leopards, i.e. – PCO, Wojskowe Zakłady Motoryzacyjne z Poznania, Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Urządzeń Mechanicznych OBRUM and Rosomak. The German concern Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH is the foreign partner.