Difference between revisions of "Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123)"

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{{About
 
{{About
| about = German premium MBT {{PAGENAME}}
+
| about = premium German medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
+
| usage = other versions
 
| link = Leopard 2 (Family)
 
| link = Leopard 2 (Family)
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=germ_leopard_2a4_pzbtl_123
 
|code=germ_leopard_2a4_pzbtl_123
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
|store=11228
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 17: Line 18:
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides, rear, and roof, turret sides, rear, and roof)
 +
* High hardness rolled armour (hull front, turret front, gun mantlet)
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet frame)
 +
* Composite screen (front side skirts)
 +
* Structural steel (rear side skirts)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 35 mm (53-82°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 40 mm (51°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 30 mm (82°) ''Driver's hatch'' || 10 mm (5°) ''Upper hull'' <br> 35 mm ''Lower forward hull'' <br> 20 mm ''Lower rear hull'' <br> 5 mm ''Side Skirts'' <br> 100 mm ''Composite screening'' || 20 mm (11°) ''Upper plate'' <br> 20 mm (17°) ''Lower plate'' <br> 20 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 35 mm (8°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 20 mm (0-8°) ''Hull sides and engine deck'' <br> 5 mm ''Engine vents''
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 35 mm (32-44°) ''Cheeks incl. Gunner optics'' <br> 120+16 mm ''Mantlet'' || 35 mm ''Forward'' <br> 15 mm ''Rear'' || 10+25 mm (10°) ''Basket'' <br> 20 mm (70°) ''Turret underside'' || 40 mm (82-85°) ''Forward centre'' <br> 14 mm (72-77°) ''Forward sides'' <br> 20 mm ''Rear incl. cupolas''
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels, tracks, and torsion bars are 20 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''
+
The mobility of this vehicle is very good. It can usually travel 48-64 km/h (30-40 mph) on level, flat ground and the down-slopes of hills. Otherwise, its mobility can range from 32-56 km/h (20-35 mph) on rough terrain and the up-slopes of hills. It can go approximately 20 MPH backwards. It is very manoeuvrable and can make sharp turns easily.
  
{{tankMobility}}
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=2,032|rbMinHp=1,327}}
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
Line 34: Line 55:
 
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{main|Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)}}
  
==== Ammunition ====
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
 
|-
 
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
! colspan="5" | [[Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)|120 mm Rh120 L/44]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
 
|-
 
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
|-
 
|-
| DM12 || HEATFS || __ || __ || __ || __ || __ || __
+
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 42 || rowspan="2" | -9°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 38.1 || 52.7 || 64.0 || 70.8 || 75.3 || rowspan="2" | 7.80 || rowspan="2" | 6.90 || rowspan="2" | 6.36 || rowspan="2" | 6.00
 
|-
 
|-
| DM13 || APFSDS || __ || __ || __ || __ || __ || __
+
! ''Realistic''
|-
+
| 23.8 || 28.0 || 34.0 || 37.6 || 40.0
| DM23 || APFSDS || __ || __ || __ || __ || __ || __
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
| DM12 || HEATFS || ___ || _.__ || __ || _._ || ___ || __° || __° || __°
 
|-
 
| DM13 || APFSDS || ___ || _.__ || __ || _._ || ___ || __° || __° || __°
 
|-
 
| DM23 || APFSDS || ___ || _.__ || __ || _._ || ___ || __° || __° || __°
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)/Ammunition|DM12, DM13, DM23}}
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
<!-- [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] -->
+
[[File:Ammoracks_Leopard_2A4.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the Leopard 2A4 (identical)]]
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.19.0.85''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
Line 83: Line 84:
 
! 1st<br>rack empty
 
! 1st<br>rack empty
 
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 
! 2nd<br>rack empty
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 
! 4th<br>rack empty
 
! 5th<br>rack empty
 
! 6th<br>rack empty
 
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
| '''42''' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __
+
| '''42''' || 16&nbsp;''(+26)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+41)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
 +
 +
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
 +
* Rack 2 is a first stage ammo rack located within a blow-out containment
 +
* It totals 15 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank and emptied first when firing.
 +
* If you pack 16&nbsp;''(+26)'' shells, it will keep the hull empty of ammo.
 +
* Full reload speed will occur as long as shells are available in the ready rack 2. If the ready rack is empty, a penalty to reload speed will occur.
 +
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from rack 1 into rack 2. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
Line 98: Line 103:
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
{{main|MG3A1 (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|MG3A1 (7.62 mm)}}
 
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
Line 107: Line 110:
 
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
|-
 
|-
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
+
| Pintle || 4,500 (1,000) || 1,200 || N/A || N/A
 
|-
 
|-
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
+
| Coaxial || 2,000 (1,000) || 1,200 || -10°/+75° || ±180°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 115: Line 118:
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
Because the PzBtl 123 is fast, it is good for flanking attacks. If you can manage to get around the enemy undetected, then you can destroy them with your superior armament. Heavy tanks and any vehicle carrying APFSDS shells are a huge menace to the survivability of the vehicle. If you choose to go into frontal combat instead of flanking, you should pop out of cover, fire an APFSDS (DM23 is better than DM13) at an enemy tank's lower armour in the front, and then retreat to cover as quickly as possible. If you do not, a heavy tank may one shot you or a light tank could take out your driver, gunner and commander, and the loader. Be especially wary of other medium tanks that are also trying to flank your team, because chances are, they also have a 120 mm gun and can one shot you with a well placed round.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
 
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* '''Powerful engine, high top speed and acceleration'''
+
* Powerful 120 mm L/44 cannon
* '''Good neutral steering system'''
+
** Good assortment of ammunition, especially DM23 APFSDS, for dealing with wide variety of enemy threats
* '''Good gunner sight magnification for long-range engagements'''
+
** High-velocity rounds coupled with good sight magnifications make long-range fighting viable
* '''Reasonably high-velocity kinetic rounds'''
+
* Turret armour is sufficient for hull-down tactics and fighting style
* '''Competent DM23 APFSDS'''
+
* Blow out panels available if certain ammo racks are detonated
* '''Turret armour is mostly effective for hull-down engagements'''
+
* Gunner thermal sights makes target acquisition easier
* '''Primary ammunition is contained within a storage unit with blow-out panels'''
+
* Default camo netting can assist with concealment in realistic/simulator battles
* '''Generation 1 thermals in the gunner sight'''
 
 
 
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* '''Hull armour is mediocre, particularly against kinetic rounds'''
+
* Hull armour is weak and proves vulnerable against most enemy shells
* '''The stock DM12 HEATFS round can prove relatively ineffectual when compared to DM13/DM23, particularly against targets with ERA'''
+
* Weak points in turret (gun mantlet and gunner's optics) can cripple tank or entire crew quickly if enemy exploits them
* '''The gunner's optics are a weak spot, enemies who know how to aim can cripple your gun and kill your crew'''
+
* Crew arrangement means a frontal shot can potentially knock out driver, gunner and commander (3/4 crew members) with one shot
* '''The gun mantlet is relatively weak while being quite prominent, penetration can disable the gun or knock turret crew out'''
+
* If an APFSDS or HEATFS shell hits the inside of the track tread, the entire crew can be put out of commission very quickly
* '''The turret cheeks can be penetrated by most APFSDS rounds when hit at the right angle'''
+
* Turret's strong points are still vulnerable to most top-ranking APFSDS shells available to the enemies
* '''Secondary ammunition storage is extremely vulnerable, although this is avoidable by carrying no more than 16 rounds'''
+
* Blow out panel-enabled ammo racks are small, carrying only 16 rounds
* '''Both machine guns are relatively light calibre, suffer from mediocre gun elevation and will not prove to be much more an annoyance to aircraft, particularly helicopters''' '''(Can Turn 360° though)'''
+
* Machine guns, both coaxial and pintle-mounted, are small calibre with restricted gun elevation that makes engaging and threatening air targets difficult
* '''Blowout panels are unreliable and have a low capacity'''
 
 
 
*
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 153: Line 149:
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_leopard_2a4_pzbtl_123 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
Line 159: Line 158:
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
  
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
+
;[[Leopard 2 (Family)|Related development]]
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[Leopard 2A4]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
Line 173: Line 172:
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
  
{{Template:TankManufacturer KMW}}
+
{{TankManufacturer KMW}}
 
{{Germany medium tanks}}
 
{{Germany medium tanks}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 10:55, 23 November 2023

Introducing Wiki 3.0
This page is about the premium German medium tank Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123). For other versions, see Leopard 2 (Family).
Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123)
germ_leopard_2a4_pzbtl_123.png
GarageImage Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123).jpg
ArtImage Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123).jpg
Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123)
AB RB SB
10.7 10.7 10.7
STORE

Description

The Leopard 2A4, Panzerbataillon 123 is a premium gift rank VII German medium tank with a battle rating of 10.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Danger Zone".

General info

Survivability and armour

Composite armour
Balanced protection against all types of ammunition
Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull80 / 65 / 25
Turret80 / 80 / 25
Crew4 people
Visibility95 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides, rear, and roof, turret sides, rear, and roof)
  • High hardness rolled armour (hull front, turret front, gun mantlet)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet frame)
  • Composite screen (front side skirts)
  • Structural steel (rear side skirts)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 35 mm (53-82°) Upper glacis
40 mm (51°) Lower glacis
30 mm (82°) Driver's hatch
10 mm (5°) Upper hull
35 mm Lower forward hull
20 mm Lower rear hull
5 mm Side Skirts
100 mm Composite screening
20 mm (11°) Upper plate
20 mm (17°) Lower plate
20 mm (50°) Lower glacis
35 mm (8°) Front glacis
20 mm (0-8°) Hull sides and engine deck
5 mm Engine vents
Turret 35 mm (32-44°) Cheeks incl. Gunner optics
120+16 mm Mantlet
35 mm Forward
15 mm Rear
10+25 mm (10°) Basket
20 mm (70°) Turret underside
40 mm (82-85°) Forward centre
14 mm (72-77°) Forward sides
20 mm Rear incl. cupolas

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels, tracks, and torsion bars are 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB76 / 35 km/h
RB and SB69 / 31 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
4 back
Weight55.2 t
Engine power
AB2 862 hp
RB and SB1 500 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB51.8 hp/t
RB and SB27.2 hp/t

The mobility of this vehicle is very good. It can usually travel 48-64 km/h (30-40 mph) on level, flat ground and the down-slopes of hills. Otherwise, its mobility can range from 32-56 km/h (20-35 mph) on rough terrain and the up-slopes of hills. It can go approximately 20 MPH backwards. It is very manoeuvrable and can make sharp turns easily.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 76 35 55.2 2,032 2,862 36.81 51.85
Realistic 69 31 1,327 1,500 24.04 27.17

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB3 381 Sl icon.png
RB3 259 Sl icon.png
SB3 789 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts1 160 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces2 150 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 150 / 190 / 240 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 232 / 232 / 232 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods tank camouflage.png
Camouflage net
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Mods thermal sight.png
NVD
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_DM_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.
Thermal imager
Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition42 rounds
First-order15 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
7.8 → 6.0 s
Vertical guidance-9° / 20°
Main article: Rh120 L/44 (120 mm)
120 mm Rh120 L/44 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 42 -9°/+20° ±180° Two-plane 38.1 52.7 64.0 70.8 75.3 7.80 6.90 6.36 6.00
Realistic 23.8 28.0 34.0 37.6 40.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
DM12 HEATFS 480 480 480 480 480 480
DM13 APFSDS 393 390 384 376 367 359
DM23 APFSDS 410 408 401 393 384 376
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
DM12 HEATFS 1,140 13.5 0.05 0.1 2.15 65° 72° 77°
DM13 APFSDS 1,650 4.44 - - - 78° 80° 81°
DM23 APFSDS 1,640 4.3 - - - 78° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Leopard 2A4 (identical)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
42 16 (+26) (+41) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Rack 2 is a first stage ammo rack located within a blow-out containment
  • It totals 15 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank and emptied first when firing.
  • If you pack 16 (+26) shells, it will keep the hull empty of ammo.
  • Full reload speed will occur as long as shells are available in the ready rack 2. If the ready rack is empty, a penalty to reload speed will occur.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from rack 1 into rack 2. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.

Machine guns

Ammunition4 600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate1 200 shots/min
Ammunition2 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate1 200 shots/min
Main article: MG3A1 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm MG3A1
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 4,500 (1,000) 1,200 N/A N/A
Coaxial 2,000 (1,000) 1,200 -10°/+75° ±180°

Usage in battles

Because the PzBtl 123 is fast, it is good for flanking attacks. If you can manage to get around the enemy undetected, then you can destroy them with your superior armament. Heavy tanks and any vehicle carrying APFSDS shells are a huge menace to the survivability of the vehicle. If you choose to go into frontal combat instead of flanking, you should pop out of cover, fire an APFSDS (DM23 is better than DM13) at an enemy tank's lower armour in the front, and then retreat to cover as quickly as possible. If you do not, a heavy tank may one shot you or a light tank could take out your driver, gunner and commander, and the loader. Be especially wary of other medium tanks that are also trying to flank your team, because chances are, they also have a 120 mm gun and can one shot you with a well placed round.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 120 mm L/44 cannon
    • Good assortment of ammunition, especially DM23 APFSDS, for dealing with wide variety of enemy threats
    • High-velocity rounds coupled with good sight magnifications make long-range fighting viable
  • Turret armour is sufficient for hull-down tactics and fighting style
  • Blow out panels available if certain ammo racks are detonated
  • Gunner thermal sights makes target acquisition easier
  • Default camo netting can assist with concealment in realistic/simulator battles

Cons:

  • Hull armour is weak and proves vulnerable against most enemy shells
  • Weak points in turret (gun mantlet and gunner's optics) can cripple tank or entire crew quickly if enemy exploits them
  • Crew arrangement means a frontal shot can potentially knock out driver, gunner and commander (3/4 crew members) with one shot
  • If an APFSDS or HEATFS shell hits the inside of the track tread, the entire crew can be put out of commission very quickly
  • Turret's strong points are still vulnerable to most top-ranking APFSDS shells available to the enemies
  • Blow out panel-enabled ammo racks are small, carrying only 16 rounds
  • Machine guns, both coaxial and pintle-mounted, are small calibre with restricted gun elevation that makes engaging and threatening air targets difficult

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW)
MBTs 
Leopard 1  Leopard I · Leopard A1A1 · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 1A5 · C2A1
Leopard 2  PT-16/T14 mod. · Leopard 2K · Leopard 2A4 · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M · Leopard 2 PL · Leopard 2A5 · Leopard 2 PSO · Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7V
KPz-70  KPz-70*
  *By the Deutsche Entwicklungsgesellschaft consortium, in collaboration with the General Motors Company.
IFVs  PUMA
SPAAs  Gepard · Gepard 1A2
Export 
Leopard 1  ▄Leopard 1A5 · Leopard 1A5NO2
Leopard 2  Strv 121 · ▄Leopard 2A4 · ◔Leopard 2A4 · ▄Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7HU
See Also  BAE Systems AB

Germany medium tanks
Pz.III  Pz.III B · Pz.III E · Pz.III F · Pz.III J · Pz.III J1 · Pz.III J1 TD · Pz.III L · Pz.III M · Pz.III N
Pz.IV  Pz.IV C · Pz.IV E · Pz.IV F1 · Pz.IV F2 · Pz.IV G · Pz.IV H · Pz.IV J · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J
Pz.V  VK 3002 (M) · Panther A · Panther D · Panther F · Panther G · Ersatz M10 · Panther II
M48 upgrades  M48A2 G A2 · M48 Super
Leopard 1  Leopard I · Leopard A1A1 · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 1A5 · C2A1 · Turm III
Leopard 2  PT-16/T14 mod. · Leopard 2K · Leopard 2AV
  Leopard 2A4 · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M · Leopard 2 PL · Leopard 2A5 · Leopard 2 PSO · Leopard 2A6 · Leopard 2A7V
Trophies  ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r)
Other  Nb.Fz. · KPz-70
USA  mKPz M47 G · M48A2 C
USSR  ◊T-72M1

Germany premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.Sfl.Ic · Pz.Sp.Wg.P204(f) KwK · Sd.Kfz. 140/1 · Sd.Kfz.234/1 · Ru 251 · SPz 12-3 LGS · TAM 2IP
Medium tanks  Nb.Fz. · Pz.III N · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r) · Ersatz M10
  mKPz M47 G · Turm III · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M
Heavy tanks  ▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill · ▀KV-IB · ▀KW I C 756 (r) · ▀KW II 754 (r)
  VK 45.01 (P) · ␠Tiger · Pz.Bef.Wg.VI P · Tiger II (H) Sla.16
Tank destroyers  Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
  Brummbär · Panzer IV/70(A) · VFW · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1 · Elefant · 38 cm Sturmmörser