Tank 2000
| Tank 2000 | |
|---|---|
| General properties | |
| crew | 4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader) |
| length | |
| width | |
| height | |
| Dimensions | |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | Multi-layer composite steel / plastic |
| Main armament | 120 mm smoothbore cannon |
| agility | |
| drive |
|
| Top speed | |
| Power / weight | |
The Panzer 2000 was a Swiss battle tank planned by the Swiss construction workshop in Thun and was intended to replace the Panzer 68 . But it remained only a project, instead the German Leopard 2 tank was procured for the Swiss Army .
description
The Panzer 2000 is based on the Panzer 68 , but a radical revision was carried out in the course of the project, so that it was in fact a new design. In addition to a new engine from Mercedes-Benz, the chassis was completely redesigned and would have been equipped with much larger, but fewer, wheels than the Pz 68 or the Leopard 2. The main armament was a 120 mm smoothbore cannon like the Leopard 2. In addition to the armor customary at the time, screw-on additional armor plates were provided, which would have been attached at some distance from the armor shell. This system has already been tested on a Pz 68, it is an inexpensive protection against shaped charge projectiles. Further improvements were modern thermal sights and electronics, a new tower and greatly improved NBC protection. In contrast to the Panzer 68, the turret should not be round, but rather be angular in shape like the Leopard 2. No further details were given because the project was ultimately canceled.
history
The Panzer 2000 was supposed to replace the Panzer 68 and finally eliminate the shortcomings of the Panzer 68. However, the eventful history of the Panzer 68 and its shortcomings were an obstacle to the success of the Panzer 2000. It was doubted within Switzerland that Switzerland is capable of producing a well-functioning tank without expensive corrections and improvements. Parties used political and economic tricks and these concerns for their own interests. On the other hand, it turned out that with modern, complex technology and its price, the costs per vehicle would be much higher than with the Panzer 68. With the planned number of units for the Swiss Army, and no guarantee of export orders, the costs for development and production were reduced des Panzer 2000 rated too high. Instead, the German Leopard 2 was procured, which was introduced into the Swiss Army under the designation Panzer 87. The Leopard 2 was available to the Swiss Army faster than it would have been possible with the in-house production of Panzer 2000 thanks to its large-scale production and greater financial development resources.
Versions
In addition to the basic version as a battle tank, the Pz 2000 would also be used as a tank for the Swiss Army as a recovery tank, a pioneer tank, a driving school tank and a bridge tank. For export, there were also versions as artillery cannons / self-propelled howitzer, anti-aircraft tanks and as ammunition tugs, without a compulsory order from the Swiss Army.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Urs Heller: The tanks of the Swiss Army from 1920 to 2008.
credentials
- Urs Heller: The tanks of the Swiss Army from 1920 to 2008.