Leopard 2A6 / 2A4

Finland operates 200+ Leopard 2 main battle tanks forming the backbone of Finnish armoured forces — one of the largest Leopard fleets in Europe relative to population. The fleet consists of 139 Leopard 2A6 (the most advanced variant with longer L/55 120mm gun providing increased penetration and range) and 100 older Leopard 2A4 tanks. The 2A6 features the Rheinmetall 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun providing 20% increased muzzle velocity over the L/44, improved armor packages, upgraded fire control system with improved thermal sights and ballistic computer, and commander's independent thermal viewer. Finnish Leopard 2A6s are modified for Arctic operations with improved cold-weather starting systems, track modifications for snow and ice, and camouflage schemes for forested terrain. Finland purchased Leopards from Netherlands (2003) and Germany (2014-2015) at favorable prices, dramatically upgrading from obsolete Soviet-era T-72 tanks. The Leopard 2 provides Finland with world-class armored capability to defend against potential Russian armored incursions. Finnish tank crews train extensively in combined-arms operations integrating tanks with infantry, artillery, engineers, and air defense in forested and urban terrain. Some 2A4 tanks donated to Ukraine in 2023.