Stridsvagn 122

Stridsvagn 122
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Germany Sweden
Service history
In service	1997–present
Used by	Swedish Army
Production history
Manufacturer	BAE Systems AB
Unit cost	US$5.74 million
Produced	1994-present
No. built	120 (91 license-produced in Sweden)
Variants	Strv 122 Strv 122B
Specifications
Weight	62.5 tonnes (61.5 long tons; 68.9 short tons)
Length	9.97 m (32 ft 9 in) (gun forward)
Width	3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
Height	3.0 m (9 ft 10 in)
Crew	4
Armour	3rd generation composite; including high-hardness steel, tungsten and plastic filler with ceramic component.
Main armament	1 x 120 mm Rheinmetall L44 smoothbore gun 42 rounds
Secondary armament	2 x 7.62×51mm NATO Ksp m/94 machine gun 4,750 rounds 4 x 2 GALIX smoke grenade launchers
Engine	MTU MB 873 Ka-501 liquid-cooled V-12 Twin-turbo diesel engine 1,500 PS (1,479 hp, 1,103 kW) at 2,600 rpm
Power/weight	24.19 PS/t (17.79 kW/t)
Transmission	Renk HSWL 354
Suspension	Torsion-bar suspension
Ground clearance	540 mm
Fuel capacity	1,200 liters (317 US gallons; 264 imp. gal)
Operational range	550 km (340 mi) (internal fuel)
Speed	68 km/h (42 mph)

Stridsvagn 122 (Strv 122) ("Tank 122") is a Swedish main battle tank based on the German Leopard 2. As with the Leopard 2A5 it is based on the German Leopard 2 Improved variant, utilizing newer technology such as command, control, and fire control systems, as well as reinforced armour and long-term combat capacity. Externally, the vehicle can be distinguished from the Leopard 2A5 by the French GALIX smoke dispensers, different storage bins, and the thicker crew hatches. The Strv 122B, has been equipped with modular AMAP composite armour from IBD Deisenroth to give "360° protection" against threats such as EFPs, rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices.

The Leopard 2A5's width of 3.75 metres (12.3 ft) has been kept, while the weight increased by only 350 kilograms (770 lb).

The Stridsvagn 122 was designed to fight in Swedish conditions including heavily forested areas as well as urban terrain. The designation derives from the 12 cm gun, on the second tank in Swedish service featuring this calibre (the first being Strv 121, Leopard 2A4s fitted with Swedish lights and radios and painted in Swedish camouflage). Strv 122 also had to overcome the perceived flaws of the original German tank, and features the following abilities:

As of 2013, 42 of these tanks remain in active service. Most of the 160 Leopard 2 A4s (local designation Strv 121) that were originally leased are being returned to Germany. The active tanks are divided between three companies, two at P4, Skövde and one at I 19, Boden.