Leopard 1A1

A German Army Leopard 1A1

A Norwegian Army Leopard 1A1

After the first batch was delivered, the next three batches were the Leopard 1A1 model, which
included a new gun stabilization system from Cadillac Gage that allowed the tank to fire
effectively on the move. The 1A1 added the now-famous "skirts" along the sides to protect the
upper tracks, and a new thermal jacket on the gun barrel to control heating. A less important
change was to use rectangular rubber blocks fastened to the treads with a single pin instead of the
earlier two-pin "shaped" versions. The rubber blocks could be easily replaced with metal X-
shaped crampons for movement on ice and snow in the winter.

Between 1974 and 1977, all of the machines in the first four batches were brought to the same
Leopard 1A1A1 standard, and given additional turret armour developed by Blohm & Voss. An
upgrade in the 1980s added leftover image-intensifier night sights, which were being handed
down from the Leopard 2 as they were themselves upgraded. The PZB 200 image intensification
system was mounted in a large box on the upper right of the gun, creating the Leopard 1A1A2.
An upgrade with SEM80/90 all-digital radios created the Leopard 1A1A3. Later improvements to
the image intensifier created the Leopard 1A1A4.
Leopard 1A2

A Leopard 1A2 crossing a river at night.

The first 232 tanks of the fifth production batch were delivered as the Leopard 1A2 between
1972 and 1974. The A2 included a heavier and better armoured turret, and therefore did not
receive the B&V armour add-ons as did the earlier machines. They received the other upgrades;
the Leopard 1A2A1 received the PZB 200, the Leopard 1A2A2 received digital radios, and the
Leopard 1A2A3 got both.[citation needed]

Leopard 1A3

The next 110 vehicles in the fifth batch were fitted with a new welded turret, which was
equipped with a new armour consisting of two spaced steel plates with a plastic filling between
them (high-hardness armour[citation needed]), and a wedge-shaped gun mantlet, creating the Leopard
1A3. Although the level of armour area density was equivalent to the A2's new welded version,
the internal volume was increased by 1.2 m³ and the effective protection level was increased by
half. The improved TRP 2A independent sight was installed for the commander. Upgrades were
identical to the 1A2 models, the Leopard 1A3A1 with the night sights, Leopard 1A3A2 with the
new radios, and the Leopard 1A3A3 with both.

Leopard 1A4
The Leopard 1A4 formed the sixth batch of 250 vehicles, starting delivery in 1974. The 1A4 was
externally similar to the 1A3, but included a new computerized fire control system and the new
EMES 12A1 sighting system to aim it. The commander was provided with his own independent
night sighting system, the PERI R12. The new equipment used up space and the ammunition
load was reduced to 55 rounds, of which 42 were stored in the magazine to the left of the
driver.