Swiss Leopard 2 - Panzer 87 and 87WE 

Written by Patrick Winnepenninckx and Ralph Zwilling

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The Leopard 2A4 was introduced into Swiss Army service from 1987 to 1993. 380 vehicles, designated Panzer 87 Leopard, replaced the Centurion. As with other nations in Europe, the Swiss fleet has been reduced over the last two decades.

 

KMW developed two upgraded Panzer 87WE (Wertehaltung) prototypes in close co-operation with the Swiss company, RUAG Land Systems. These were tested thoroughly in 2004 and 2005 but delivery did not take place until 2011/12. In spite of the upgrade programme, only 134 Panzer 87WEs were delivered.

 

This Model Foto Focus takes a thorough look around these little-documented but fascinating machines. For the modeller, this is the ultimate walkaround for 
an accurate model.

 

For the armour enthusiast, it describes the Swiss versions in great detail and sees them on exercise, as well as looking at Switzerland’s version of the Büffel ARV.