Main Battle Tank
Leopard 1
The Leopard 1 is a West German main battle tank designed by Porsche and Krauss-Maffei, in service since 1965. More than 6,500 hulls were built, and it was exported widely; Ukraine now fields Leopard 1A5 tanks.
Germany|Krauss-Maffei (now KNDS)Overview
The Leopard 1 was West Germany’s first post-war main battle tank, designed by Porsche and Krauss-Maffei with mobility favoured over armour. The first prototype ran in 1960 and service began in 1965. It carries a British 105 mm L7 rifled gun, has four crew and weighs about 40–42 t, with an MTU MB 838 diesel of about 830 hp giving 65 km/h and a range near 600 km. Frontal armour was only about 70 mm of steel, with appliqué armour added on the 1A3 and 1A5 versions.
More than 6,500 hulls, including derivatives, were built by 1979 and exported to Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Australia, Türkiye, Greece, Norway and Denmark, among others. Current operators (hedged) include Brazil, Chile, Greece and Ecuador, and Ukraine has received Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands since 2023, about 100 funded. Türkiye operated about 170 Leopard 1 tanks but has largely retired them. The hulls live on as the Gepard anti-aircraft gun, the Biber bridgelayer and recovery vehicles.
Key Specifications
Variants
The Leopard 1A1 is an early upgrade with a stabilised gun and improved fire-control and armour.
The Leopard 1A5 added modern fire control and thermal sights and is the version supplied to Ukraine.
The Leopard 1V is the Chilean-operated upgrade of the tank.
Operators
Brazil
Chile
Greece
Ecuador
UkraineFrequently Asked Questions
How much did a Leopard 1 cost?
A Leopard 1 cost about 0.3–0.5 million USD in the 1960s (hedged). Modern upgrades vary widely in price. Costs of later upgrades such as the 1A5 varied widely by customer.
How many Leopard 1 tanks were built?
More than 6,500 Leopard 1 hulls were built, including derivatives, by 1979. Production was by Krauss-Maffei in Munich-Allach and Henschel. It was exported to many countries, and the hulls were reused for the Gepard anti-aircraft gun and other vehicles.
Which countries use the Leopard 1?
Leopard 1 tanks serve with Brazil, Chile, Greece and Ecuador (hedged), and with Ukraine, which has received Leopard 1A5 tanks since 2023. Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Australia, Norway and Denmark have retired the type.
Leopard 1 vs Leopard 2: what is the difference?
The Leopard 1 has a 105 mm gun, thin armour and weighs about 40 t, while the Leopard 2 is a separate, heavier design with a 120 mm gun. The Leopard 2 is not an upgrade of the Leopard 1.
Is the Leopard 1 used in Ukraine?
Yes. Ukraine received Leopard 1A5 tanks from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands from 2023, with about 100 funded. They have been used in defensive roles and as fire support.
Does Türkiye use the Leopard 1?
Türkiye operated about 170 Leopard 1T and 1A1 tanks, but the Turkish Army has largely retired them. It now relies on Leopard 2A4 and M60 variants, with Leopard 1 derivatives surviving as engineering vehicles.