Why In News?

The U.S. Defence Secretary recently said that Germany has not decided whether to allow its Leopard 2 tanks to be sent to Ukraine.

About

• It is a German – made main battle tank, developed by German weapons manufacturer Krauss – Maffei Wegmann (KMW).
• Leopard was first produced in the late 1990s for the West German army in response to Soviet threats during the Cold War.
• These tanks are armed with 120mm smoothbore cannon.
• It is also armed with two coaxial light machine guns.
• They also provide all – around protection for troops from threats such as mines, anti – tank fire, and improvised explosive devices.
• Range: 500 km (311 miles)