The Leopard 2 was an offshoot of the MBT-70 -- a cancelled joint development project between the USA and West Germany undertaken in the late 1960s. Even though the US had withdrawn from the project, the West Germans, under the auspices of Krauss-Maffei, continued research and development on the renamed Leopard 2 project. In 1977, the first production vehicles were delivered and exported to the smaller Dutch Army while the West German Bundeswehr waited a couple of years before it too was equipped with the powerful new main battle tank. The Leopard 2 is outfitted with a laser rangefinder, thermal-imaging equipment, and nuclear, biological and chemical defense system (NBC), and can conduct shallow amphibious operations. Its fire control system is unusual because the cartridge cases are combustible, which can lead to internal fires. The Leopard 2 has a 30% better power-to-weight ratio than the Leopard I, which results in increased cross-country mobility and a higher survivability rate on the battlefield.

Now Minichamps has created a gorgeous 1:35 scale diecast replica of the Bundeswehr's all-powerful Leopard 2 main battle tank. This stunning recreation features a rotating turret, elevating gun, working suspension, and treads that are made of flexible metal links! This particular vehicles was attached to the now deactivated Panzerbataillon 63, Panzerbrigade 6, 2. Panzergrenadierdivision, then quartered at Hofgeismar, Germany in 1982. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 10-1/2-inches
Width: 3-3/4-inches
Height: 2-3/4-inches

Release Date: May 2002

Original Issue Price: $99.99

Historical Account: "A New Fatherland" - The Bundeswehr (German for "Federal Defence Force") is the name of the unified armed forces of Germany. The Bundeswehr is a federal defense force with Army (Heer), Navy (Marine), Air Force (Luftwaffe), Joint Service Support Command (Streitkraftebasis), and Central Medical Services (Zentraler Sanitatsdienst) branches.

The Bundeswehr has some 250,000 military personnel, 50,000 of whom are 18 to 25 year-old conscripts who serve for at least nine months under current rules. The number of civilian employees is to be reduced to 75,000 during the coming years.

Women have served in the medical service since 1975. In 2000, in a lawsuit brought up by Tanja Kreil, the European Court of Justice issued a ruling allowing women to serve in more roles than previously allowed.

Since 2001 they can serve in all functions of service without restriction, but they are not subject to conscription. There are presently around 14,500 women on active duty and a number of female reservists who take part in all duties including peacekeeping missions and other operations.