Panzer 2000

The Panzer 2000 was based on the Panzer 68, but was totally redesigned over the course of the project. In addition to a new engine from Mercedes-Benz, the chassis was completely redesigned and would have been equipped with much larger, but fewer wheels than the Panzer 68 or the Leopard 2. The main armament was a 120 mm smooth-bore gun as on the Leopard 2. In addition to the usual armor of the time, the tank would have been equipped with additional bolted-on armor plates, attached at some distance to the tank shell. The same system had already been tested on a Panzer 68, as a cost-effective protection against hollow charge projectiles. Further improvements made were the addition of modern termal sights and electronics, and a new tower with greatly improved ABC protection. Detailed information was not provided because the project was canceled.

The Panzer 2000 was intended to replace the Panzer 68 and finally eliminate its shortcomings. However, the volatile history of the Panzer 68 and its shortcomings were an obstacle to the success of the Panzer 2000. The Swiss doubted that Switzerland would be able to produce a well-functioning tank without expensive rework. Political parties used this concern as an argument against the Panzer 2000. Furthermore, the costs per vehicle were higher given the modern and complex technology compared to the Panzer 68. With the planned number of units for the Swiss army, and no confirmed export orders, the costs for the development and production of the Panzer 2000 were considered too high. Instead, the German Leopard 2 was procured by the Swiss Army and introduced under the name Panzer 87. Due to larger production quantities and development resources, the Leopard 2 procurement for the Swiss Army was faster than it would have been possible with the own production of the Panzer 2000.

In addition to the basic version as a main battle tank for the Swiss Army, the main structure of the Panzer 2000 would have been used for variants such as recovery tanks, Combat engineering vehicle, driving school tanks and the Armoured vehicle-launched bridge. For export, without a compelling order by the Swiss Army, also existed variants as Artillery Cannon / Panzerhaubitze, anti-aircraft tanks,tracked tank and ammunition tug.

• K + W (Eidgenössische Konstruktionswerkstätten) - Thun (Swiss design workshops) - Thun
• Book Urs Heller: Die Panzer der schweizer Armee von 1920 bis 2008
• The Swiss Military Museum, Full, Switzerland