Leopard 1

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West German

The Stats

The ancestor of the Leopard 2, the Leopard 1 serves as the spearhead of armored recon forces (PanzerAufklarung) in the West German arsenal. While inferior to the Leopard 2 in movement, AT and technology (Advanced Stabilisers, Thermal Vision), the Leopard 1 has a key role in providing affordable anti-armor firepower. While incapable of engaging any modern armor, the Leopard 1 can comfortably engage other Second Generation tanks like the T-55AM2 and the Patton. at close range, the L7 gun has an AT value of 19 which means that enough shots may eventually penetrate the front of a T-64. However, AT19 means that the Leopard 1 may have a use to players capable of getting a panzer zug into your enemy's flank where their moving ROF of 2 can threaten tanks from the side or artillery pieces with their 2+ FP.

However, the affordability of the Leopard 1 comes at a severe cost: the absence of any notable armor. With a pitiful front of NINE, bazooka skirts somehow grant the sides higher AV than the frontal glacis against HEAT weapons. While immune to autocannons, the Leopard 1 collapses in the face of most anti-tank weapons. RPG-18s, and BMP 1s can reliably defeat Leopards; with the winner in such engagements being the one who gets the first shot off. As with most other tanks, the Leopard 1 can put out 4 MG shots against infantry within 16", or probably as defensive fire against helicopters and assaulting infantry.

Overall, the Leopard is a competitive option, if somewhat inferior to some other nations' offerings. The second cheapest NATO tank in-game at 3 points each, the Leopard 1 can be purchased in platoons of 2 or 3. Part of the Armoured Recce Company, they may also be taken as a Leopard 1 Kompanie under the rulings for Panzertruppe.

Canada

Designated the Leopard C1, this vehicle is a Leopard 1A3 with an upgraded targeting system. On a surface level, it appears to be about as effective as the regular West German variant despite costing an extra point to field. However, one key detail makes the C1 better than the standard Leopard 1: BRUTAL. The Leopard C1 can engage infantry and light targets using the main gun with dramatic efficiency. Forcing these unarmored targets to reroll successful saves will likely turn the Leopard into a bare-faced killing machine. This versatility meshes incredibly well with the Canadian list as a whole, considering how most of their units are already versatile options in and of themselves. Though still a point more expensive than the Leopard 1, the same philosophy applies to fielding them: Field lots of them. Get as much AT 19 on the table as possible, and let your M150 TOW and ADATS platforms worry about the big nasties.

You can take a whole fucking lot of C1's, too. Up to 23 of them for higher point games, if the math lines up. The C1 Armoured Troop is one tank larger than the West German counterpart, enabling a much needed increase in firepower output. Your command unit is mighty beefy as well, being up to 3 units strong and therefore capable of getting into the thick of it. However, you do not want to bring these to the table on their own, so don't get too Leopard-happy if you're missing out on necessary supports. Never skimp on the essentials, such as the aforementioned ADATS, the Blowpipes and the Lynx. While the C1 will be the centerpiece of any competitive-oriented Canadian list, neglecting your support will inevitably result in some gargantuan blind spots arising in your capacities, regardless of the Leopard's multirole capabilities.

That said, the lack of armour is still present and a problem. Start your tanks in cover when possible, and take every effort to be the side to fire first. If these things can be accomplished, then the ball is firmly in your side of the court.

Dutch

ANZAC

IRL

A Canadian Leo-1 at the Bovington Tank Museum

The Leopard 1 was a second generation MBT for the west Germans. It was meant to hold the line until the MBT-70 program bore fruit. That never happened so the west was at a severe disadvantage in MBTs. The Leopard 1 would serve well into the 21st century with the Canadian military but over all the tank is not that innovative or ground breaking. Mobility had priority, while firepower came second; armor was seen as less essential after all no one believed that protection against shaped charges and hollow warheads was possible.

Canadian Forces in Team Yankee
Tanks:	Leopard C1
Transports:	M113 APC
Infantry:	Canadian Mechanized Platoon
Artillery:	M109 Field Battery - M125 81mm
Anti-Aircraft:	ADATS - M113 Blowpipe
Tank Hunters:	M150 TOW
Recon:	Lynx RECCE Patrol - M113 OP
US Support:	M1 Abrams - M60 Patton - US Mech Platoon - A-10 Warthog
WG Support:	Leopard 2 - Marder Panzergrenadiers - BO-105P - Tornado