Germany or USA? The Federal Council asked itself this question in the early 1980s. At the time it was about supplying the Swiss army with a new main battle tank to replace the outdated Panzer 68.
As early as 1979, the National Council decided that its successor should no longer be an in-Swiss development – too expensive. Of course, the tank’s 68 error and missed the target, for example due to the ball slipping, also had an effect on the decision. Now the army must supply the “best proven products” mentioned in the then SRG program “CH-Magazine”.
two candidates
There were two modern Western tanks to choose from. Abrams M1 from the USA and Leopard 2 from Germany (also interesting: Germans love Swiss Army Puchs) were involved in the evaluation process. From August 1981 to June 1982, the Swiss Army subjected two tanks to numerous tests. It wasn’t just the power and accuracy of his guns that mattered. They also had to prove their agility and mobility in the field. Shooting exercises were held at the Hinterrhein tank shooting range in the canton of Graubünden. If you go to Ticino via San Bernadino, you can see the military facility next to the north tunnel portal.
While these tests were conducted behind locked and secure barracks doors, scrutiny of the electoral process could not be hidden from the public. Two tanks dueled on Swiss roads in one “race”! The Abrams M1 and Leopard 2 traveled on the motorway from Thun via Bern to Oftringen and returned unhindered. Of course, I didn’t care who got there first. Instead, key figures that are still of interest to every car today must be determined: maximum speed and consumption.
Tanks by numbers
The Swiss Army also compared other technical data of the two tank candidates from the 1980s: In terms of combat weight, the American candidate is slightly ahead, despite the heavier armor. It weighs 54.3 tons, according to the general Swiss military magazine, while the German candidate weighs 55 tons.
There is a par in terms of engine power of 1500 hp (1100 kW) each. However, a diesel-powered gas turbine provides propulsion in the M1, while the Leopard 2 relies on a twelve-cylinder turbodiesel. In terms of top speed, the Ami outperforms its German rival with 72 to 68 km/h. In contrast, the Leopard 2 consumes significantly less fuel: it consumes about 200 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, while the M1 consumes twice as much 400 liters. Both cost about five million francs at the time.
Even a drag race with the VW Golf I was part of the evaluation. The tanks were even able to keep up with the car in the first 70 meters. Back then, they needed less than six seconds to reach 30 km/h.
Winning
As Swiss military enthusiasts and conscripted school graduates know, Leopard 2 won the duel. Among other things, since the bulk of the 380 ordered tanks can be produced under license by the Swiss company Contraves (now Ruag). On March 27, 1987, the first “Panzer 87 Leopard” with the official name was delivered to the Swiss Army.
From 2008 to 2011, 134 tanks were overhauled. These are still used by the Swiss military – some of which are expected to be used in the “Pillum 22” maneuver this week. Twelve more were converted into engineer or mine-clearing tanks. The remaining Leo 2 has been sold or retired.