This can launch an illuminating rocket to a maximum range of 1,300 m.Ī total of 390 Pz 68 series MBTs were built for the Swiss Army. The Pz 68 has been upgraded on a number of occasions including the installation of the thermal sleeve for the 105 mm gun and the installation of the Bofors Lyran system (Swiss Army designation 7.1 cm Le GW 74) on the turret roof between the commander's and loader's positions. Main differences between the Pz 61 and Pz 68 can be summarised as the installation of a stabilisation system for the 105 mm gun to allow the Pz 68 to engage targets accurately while moving across country, ammunition supply hatch in the left side of the turret, more powerful MTU engine coupled to a modified transmission, wider tracks with replaceable tracks and greater length of track in contact with the ground. The first prototype of this was completed in 1968 with production being authorised the same year.īetween January 1971 and July 1974, a total of 170 Pz 68 Mk 1s were delivered to the Swiss Army. The Pz 61 MBTs were all phased out of service with the Swiss Army by late 1996.įurther development of the Pz 61 resulted in the Pz 68. In March 1961, a production order for 150 Pz 61s (armed with a British 105 mm gun) was placed, with deliveries to the Swiss Army taking place between January 1965 and December 1966. These two prototypes were followed by 10 preproduction tanks, Pz 58 (Panzer 58), built between 19 and armed with a British 20 pounder (83.4 mm) gun as installed in the Pz55. The second prototype was completed the following year. The first prototype of the Swiss MBT, designated the KW30, was completed in 1958 and armed with a Swiss-designed 90 mm gun. On 1 January 1999 the company was renamed SW Swiss Ordnance Enterprise Corp. This study concluded that it was possible and two years later design work on the first Swiss MBT began at the now Swiss Ordnance Enterprise (previously k + w Thun). In 1951, the Technical Section of the Swiss General Staff carried out a study to see if an MBT could be designed in Switzerland.
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