First design in this new thread is the Main Battle Tank of Hellenic Army (AU), the Lion Mk.1/Mk.2. This is my first B-side also.
![[ img ]](http://s24.postimg.org/4dow57txx/Lion_main_battle_tank.png)
![[ img ]](https://s1.postimg.org/8ke2jcnrz/Lion_B.png)
The conclusions from 1977 War, which was also the first time Leopard I tanks fired in anger, were that Hellenic Army needs heavier Tank battalions. The 1983 contest for a new tank required 468 new tanks for 9 battalions and 3 more of a similar type for familiarization and training in a full Tank Brigade .Winner was the British Challenger Mk.I plus Shir II. Vickers as offsets several FV180 CET and FV107 Scimitars plus equipment for Engineering Regiments of Hellenic Army, about 200 remaining Chieftain Shir II did not delivered to Empire of Persia, manufacturing of the tank electronics and the Rolls Royce Condor CV.12 engine under license. Scimitars and Scorpion ordered in 1987-88 to replace the M24 Chaffee. More Scorpion and Scimitar would later ordered, former with the 90mm Cockerill gun instead of the British 76mm and offset given Scoprions were also retrofitted with the 90mm.
Hellenic Defense Vehicles (which had also manufactured Leopard I from 1969 to 1981) continued to improve the tank, testing various changes to electronics. Meanwhile, a program of modernization for 624 of Leopard I to A5 spec was completed, plus several conversions from German Leopard IA2 to specialized vehicles. In 1992, the Lion Mk.2 entered production, which was a conversion of the Shir II with slightly modified Challenger turret, indigenous FCS and laser meter, plus new ballistic computer. The electronics of Mk.2 were retrofitted also in Lion Mk.1, re-designated as Lion Mk.1B. Chobam I armor was still adequate and remained unchanged. A missile fired from the 120mm gun was also tested, co-developed with Israel, the E-120 (120mm diameter). A smaller version with 105mm diameter developed for Leopard I.
Rolls Royce CV12 was improved from Petropoulos Factory, which manufactured Perkins engines under license since 1930's. Petropoulos made Perkins had many improvements over their British made cousins, resulting in greater performance and reliability. The RR CV-12P1 diesel was rated at 1400 hp with several improvements, while the P2 for the Lion Mk.3 (which has several features from Challenger Mk.2, including Chobam II armor among others) is said to be even more powerful, although official performance remains unchanged. In total, 468 Lion Mk.3 built, sending Leopard IA5M2 in Island Defense Forces to replace the last M48A5H in early 2000's.
![[ img ]](http://s5.postimg.org/6exx28yev/Lynx_armored_vehicle_family.png)
![[ img ]](http://s5.postimg.org/e8yinn67r/Lynx_B.png)
