Greek Army weighs options for breathing new life into Leopard 1 tanks

MILAN — German arms manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann has partnered with local Greek supplier EODH and Spanish electronics firm Duma to propose an upgrade package for the modernization of the Hellenic Army’s Leopard 1A5 fleet.

“The Armored Directorate of the Hellenic Army is in the phase of studying the future of the tanks’ potential and has asked various companies to submit proposals for the 500 Leopard 1A5s that it has in active operation,” John Mitsis, who oversees business development at EODH, told Defense News in an email.

“For this reason, EODH in collaboration with the original equipment manufacturer KMW/KNDS, and Duma, designed a package that ensures that the tank will remain combat-worthy for at least another two decades,” he added.

The offer was presented to the Greek General Staff earlier this month and will include a number of improvements primarily related to the mobility, lethality and protection of the tanks, as prescribed in a life-extension plan provided to Defense News.

Among the proposed changes would be the introduction of a stronger engine and reinforced suspension to make the vehicle more agile. Firepower upgrades contain a new fire control system based on new sights for the gunner, and a modernized turret and gun control system.

“A fully digital open architecture allows for the tanks’ easy adaption of various weapon systems such as anti-drone remotely operated weapon station, possible integration of barrel-launched and/or side-pod anti-tank guided missiles and the integration of barrel launched or side-pod loitering munitions,” the upgrade document states.

Once officially initiated, the upgrade package will represent the most significant modernization of Greece’s Leopard 1s in over 30 years. There is currently no available deadline for when the Hellenic Ministry of Defense will reach a decision to proceed.

It was previously reported by Greek media that Italian defense company Leonardo was also in the running to propose upgrades, including the Hitfact-MkII turret system mounted on the Centauro 2 tank-destroyer in service with the Italian Army.

Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo was a Europe correspondent for Defense News. She covers a wide range of topics related to military procurement and international security, and specializes in reporting on the aviation sector. She is based in Milan, Italy.

米兰——德国武器制造商克劳斯-玛菲·韦格曼公司与希腊当地供应商EODH和西班牙电子公司Duma合作，提出了一项升级方案，用于希腊陆军豹1A5坦克的现代化改造。

“希腊陆军装甲局正在研究坦克的未来潜力，并已要求各公司提交方案，以应对其正在服役的 500 辆豹 1A5 坦克，”EODH 负责业务发展的约翰·米西斯在给《防务新闻》的电子邮件中表示。

“因此，EODH 与原始设备制造商 KMW/KNDS 和杜马公司合作，设计了一套方案，以确保该坦克至少在未来二十年内仍能保持作战能力，”他补充道。

本月初，美国向希腊总参谋部提出了这项方案，方案将包括多项改进，主要涉及坦克的机动性、杀伤力和防护能力，这些改进措施已在提供给《防务新闻》的延寿计划中予以规定。

拟议的改进措施包括引入动力更强劲的发动机和强化悬挂系统，以提高车辆的机动性。火力升级方面，则包括为炮手配备基于新型瞄准具的全新火控系统，以及现代化的炮塔和火炮控制系统。

升级文件指出：“全数字化的开放式架构使得坦克能够轻松适配各种武器系统，例如反无人机遥控武器站，以及集成炮管发射和/或侧吊舱反坦克导弹和集成炮管发射或侧吊舱巡飞弹。”

一旦正式启动，此次升级计划将是希腊豹1坦克30多年来规模最大的一次现代化改造。目前希腊国防部尚未确定何时会做出最终决定。

此前希腊媒体报道称，意大利国防公司莱昂纳多也参与了升级方案的竞标，其中包括安装在意大利陆军现役的 Centauro 2 坦克歼击车上的 Hitfact-MkII 炮塔系统。

伊丽莎白·戈斯林-马洛曾任《防务新闻》欧洲通讯员。她的报道涵盖军事采购和国际安全等广泛领域，尤其擅长航空领域的报道。她常驻意大利米兰。