The Leopard II tank, a product of the Cold War, was conceived to counterbalance the formidable armored forces of the Soviet Union which outnumbered NATO almost 3 to 1. West Germany and NATO could not compete tank for tank with the Warsaw Pact, but they could build better tanks. The Leopard 2 entered service in 1979, and it was a better tank than anything the enemy had.

The design philosophy of the Leopard 2 was underpinned by a unique blend of balance and adaptability.

The Leopard 2 employs a multilayered, spaced armor design throughout its structure. This complex armor is constructed from steel plates of diverse hardness levels, combined with elastic substances, and other non-metallic components.

Powered by a water-cooled 12-cylinder MTU MB 873 diesel engine with 1,500 horsepower this cat is one of the fastest tanks around. More than 21 horsepower per ton is sufficient to propel this 73 tons (66.5 tonnes) armored giant to a maximum speed of 43 miles per hour (70 kilometers per hour).
 
The Rheinmetall 120 mm smoothbore gun, which was later adapted for use on the M1 Abrams, is the primary armament for production versions of the Leopard 2 in either the L/44 variant or the modern L/55 variant.
 
And almost half a century later, this hunter will have the opportunity to face its long-awaited prey in Ukraine.  

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