March 11, 2006:
Germany has developed a "Peace Support Operations" version of its Leopard 2 tank. Modifications include more protection, from RPG attacks, for the running gear, more sensors so the crew has a better view of what's around the tank, a plow, and an ammo load more suitable for urban combat. It's not known if the Germans are getting American urban warfare tank munitions, but the Germans have been getting data from the U.S. on the experience with M-1 tanks in Iraq. Currently, Germany has 852 Leopard 2 tanks (502 Leopard 2A4, 125 Leopard 2A5 and 225 Leopard 2A6.) Only a few have been converted to the PSO version, in anticipation of quickly adapting dozens of them if a large number of German troops were sent off on a peacekeeping mission.