Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Since 2010, there have been two prominent categories in the development of tanks: the first comprises new designs, such as the Russian T-14 Armata, the Chinese ZTQ-15, or the German KF-51 Panther. The second major group consists of modifications to existing vehicles, exemplified by the Czech T-72 Scarab, the Peruvian-Ukrainian Tifón 2A, or the Chinese Type 99A. These modifications aim to ensure that the respective base vehicles remain updated and relevant in the face of evolving threats. The Tortuga falls into the latter category. Originating as a Spanish project, the Tortuga aimed to enhance the capabilities of the Leopardo 2E, adapting it to confront emerging challenges in modern warfare. Conceived by a commander within the Brigada ‘Guadarrama XII’ operating the Leopardo 2E, the project served as a platform for studying potential upgrades applicable to Spain’s current main battle tanks.
Special gratitude is extended to Brigadier López, the mastermind behind the project, who provided invaluable information and photos that were otherwise unavailable on the internet. Appreciation is also extended to captains Ramón and Verdú, corporals Diez, Escribano, Blanco, Rios, and Peñarubia, as well as the technical staff Gio, Santiago, Domingo, Eduardo, and Ruben. We would like to express our thanks to the entire Brigada ‘Guadarrama XII’, the military unit of the Spanish Army where the Tortuga was conceived and brought to life, for their help with researching this article.
Join this channel to get access to exclusive perks:
youtube.com/channel/UC2tZSN6WSAtzKLalKbflBLg/join
If you liked this video, please consider donating on Patreon or Paypal!
Patreon: patreon.com/tankartfund
Paypal: paypal.com/paypalme/tankencyclopedia
Article: tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/spain/tortuga-evolution-leopard-2e
Sources: Candil Muñoz, Antonio Jose. “Historia del Leopard 2 en España.” Revista Ejércitos, no. 5, 2010, p. 81.
El Ejército del futuro: Leopardo 2E Plus, Pizarro fase III y Dragón 8×8 1 (infodefensa.com)
España incluye la modernización del Leopardo en las necesidades a medio plazo (infodefensa.com)
El renovado “Leopardo 2E” del Ejército de Tierra español – Noticias Defensa Informes
Contenido – Ejército de tierra (defensa.gob.es)
OTROS DIEZ TANQUES TURCOS LEOPARD 2A4 DESTRUIDOS POR EL ESTADO ISLÁMICO EN SIRIA – Estrategia Global
El renovado “Leopardo 2E” del Ejército de Tierra español – Noticias Defensa nº 500
ITE. Integración Tecnológica Empresarial (ite-es.com)
ITE apoyará el mantenimiento de los motores de los F-5 del Ejército del Aire hasta 2023-noticia defensa.com – Noticias Defensa España
Metalurgicas Ruher sl – Telf 918711868 (axesor.es)
Protegemos a los que nos protegen | FECSA
ceotronics.com/es/empresa/index.html
Controversias: Bajas de Leopard-2A4 en Siria bajo el mando del ejercito turco – Una revisión actualizada – Guerra Acorazada (guerra-acorazada.blog)
| Leopardos sobre la nieve siria (revistaejercitos.com)
armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2024_global_security_army_industry/spain_targets_significant_modernization_program_for_leopard_2e_tank_fleet_by_2032.html
defensa.com/entorno-operativo-2035/fuerza-35-futuro-tecnologico-ejercito-tierra
El Ejército de Tierra no modernizará el Leopardo 2E – Noticias Defensa España
Sistemas de autoprotección APS en los carros de combate Leopard del Ejército de Tierra-noticia defensa.com – Noticias Defensa España
EMBT (Enhanced Main Battle Tank) (globalsecurity.org)
El panzer hispano: Leopardo 2E Historia (youtube.com)
VAEC, el nuevo Vehículo de Exploración Aerolanzable de la Caballería española-noticia defensa.com – Noticias Defensa España
Tank Encyclopedia Magazines and Books: payhip.com/TankEncyclopedia
Reddit: reddit.com/r/TankEncyclopedia
TE Shop: tanks-encyclopedia.com/Goodies/tanks-posters.php
Our website: tanks-encyclopedia.com
Gaming News Website: tanks-encyclopedia.com/games
Facebook: facebook.com/tanksencyclopedia
Twitter: twitter.com/tanksenc
Discord: discord.gg/3VjQ8Zq
Email: tanks.encyclopedia@gmail.com
An article by Javier Sánchez
Narrated by Alben Bloomfield
Edited by Julesans
Since 2010, there have been two prominent categories in the development of tanks: the first comprises new designs, such as the Russian T-14 Armata, the Chinese ZTQ-15, or the German KF-51 Panther. The second major group consists of modifications to existing vehicles, exemplified by the Czech T-72 Scarab, the Peruvian-Ukrainian Tifón 2A, or the Chinese Type 99A. These modifications aim to ensure that the respective base vehicles remain updated and relevant in the face of evolving threats. The Tortuga falls into the latter category. Originating as a Spanish project, the Tortuga aimed to enhance the capabilities of the Leopardo 2E, adapting it to confront emerging challenges in modern warfare. Conceived by a commander within the Brigada ‘Guadarrama XII’ operating the Leopardo 2E, the project served as a platform for studying potential upgrades applicable to Spain’s current main battle tanks.
Special gratitude is extended to Brigadier López, the mastermind behind the project, who provided invaluable information and photos that were otherwise unavailable on the internet. Appreciation is also extended to captains Ramón and Verdú, corporals Diez, Escribano, Blanco, Rios, and Peñarubia, as well as the technical staff Gio, Santiago, Domingo, Eduardo, and Ruben. We would like to express our thanks to the entire Brigada ‘Guadarrama XII’, the military unit of the Spanish Army where the Tortuga was conceived and brought to life, for their help with researching this article.
Join this channel to get access to exclusive perks:
youtube.com/channel/UC2tZSN6WSAtzKLalKbflBLg/join
If you liked this video, please consider donating on Patreon or Paypal!
Patreon: patreon.com/tankartfund
Paypal: paypal.com/paypalme/tankencyclopedia
Article: tanks-encyclopedia.com/modern/spain/tortuga-evolution-leopard-2e
Sources: Candil Muñoz, Antonio Jose. “Historia del Leopard 2 en España.” Revista Ejércitos, no. 5, 2010, p. 81.
El Ejército del futuro: Leopardo 2E Plus, Pizarro fase III y Dragón 8×8 1 (infodefensa.com)
España incluye la modernización del Leopardo en las necesidades a medio plazo (infodefensa.com)
El renovado “Leopardo 2E” del Ejército de Tierra español – Noticias Defensa Informes
Contenido – Ejército de tierra (defensa.gob.es)
OTROS DIEZ TANQUES TURCOS LEOPARD 2A4 DESTRUIDOS POR EL ESTADO ISLÁMICO EN SIRIA – Estrategia Global
El renovado “Leopardo 2E” del Ejército de Tierra español – Noticias Defensa nº 500
ITE. Integración Tecnológica Empresarial (ite-es.com)
ITE apoyará el mantenimiento de los motores de los F-5 del Ejército del Aire hasta 2023-noticia defensa.com – Noticias Defensa España
Metalurgicas Ruher sl – Telf 918711868 (axesor.es)
Protegemos a los que nos protegen | FECSA
ceotronics.com/es/empresa/index.html
Controversias: Bajas de Leopard-2A4 en Siria bajo el mando del ejercito turco – Una revisión actualizada – Guerra Acorazada (guerra-acorazada.blog)
| Leopardos sobre la nieve siria (revistaejercitos.com)
armyrecognition.com/defense_news_february_2024_global_security_army_industry/spain_targets_significant_modernization_program_for_leopard_2e_tank_fleet_by_2032.html
defensa.com/entorno-operativo-2035/fuerza-35-futuro-tecnologico-ejercito-tierra
El Ejército de Tierra no modernizará el Leopardo 2E – Noticias Defensa España
Sistemas de autoprotección APS en los carros de combate Leopard del Ejército de Tierra-noticia defensa.com – Noticias Defensa España
EMBT (Enhanced Main Battle Tank) (globalsecurity.org)
El panzer hispano: Leopardo 2E Historia (youtube.com)
VAEC, el nuevo Vehículo de Exploración Aerolanzable de la Caballería española-noticia defensa.com – Noticias Defensa España
Tank Encyclopedia Magazines and Books: payhip.com/TankEncyclopedia
Reddit: reddit.com/r/TankEncyclopedia
TE Shop: tanks-encyclopedia.com/Goodies/tanks-posters.php
Our website: tanks-encyclopedia.com
Gaming News Website: tanks-encyclopedia.com/games
Facebook: facebook.com/tanksencyclopedia
Twitter: twitter.com/tanksenc
Discord: discord.gg/3VjQ8Zq
Email: tanks.encyclopedia@gmail.com
An article by Javier Sánchez
Narrated by Alben Bloomfield
Edited by Julesans
