Julian Kerr | Sydney

Indonesia has now received eight of 61 Leopard 2 RI (Republic of Indonesia) main battle tanks (MBTs) ordered in December 2012, Rheinmetall Defence executives disclosed at the company’s recent Land Forces symposium.

These form part of a $US280 million contract encompassing the Leopard 2 RIs, 42 Leopard 2+ MBTs, 42 upgraded Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles, and 11 armoured recovery and engineering vehicles from surplus German Army stocks.

"Notably, the 120 millimetre L/44 smoothbore gun and sighting system has been modified to fire the latest Rheinmetall DM11 programmable high explosive projectile."

All 42 of the Leopard 2+ (Leopard 2 A4 MBTs with the addition of a bustle-mounted air conditioning system) have now been delivered as have the Marders and support vehicles, the executives said. They declined to disclose the anticipated delivery dates for the balance of the Leopard 2 RIs.

In addition to air conditioning, the Leopard 2 RI upgrade from the standard Leopard 2 A4 includes the replacement of the electro-hydraulic gun control equipment with an all-electric drive, installation of an auxiliary power unit to provide a silent watch capability, additional composite armour on the turret and hull, and a rear view camera for the driver.

Notably, the 120 millimetre L/44 smoothbore gun and sighting system has been modified to fire the latest Rheinmetall DM11 programmable high explosive projectile. This offers three fuse options programmable by the Leopard 2 RI even after the round has been loaded – impact, impact with a two microsecond delay, and air burst.