An Australian Army Leopard AS1 tank has just rolled into the British National Tank Museum in Bovington, UK. Donated by the Australian Defence Force, this steel beast stole the spotlight at Tankfest 2025 and now takes pride of place among the world’s most legendary armoured vehicles. Before shipping out to the UK, it spent its retirement years at the Australian Army Tank Museum in Puckapunyal, Victoria — preserved as one of the crown jewels of Australia’s armoured history. Now, let’s rewind and find out how it earned its stripes.
New Tank on the Block
After sizing up a few contenders – including the American M60A1 – the Australian Army selected the Leopard AS1 to take over from the Centurion Tanks that had been holding the line since the ’50s. Rolling into service in the late ’70s, these Leopards weren’t just off-the-shelf units. Tweaked for our unique conditions, adding features like tropical climate adaptations, improved turret protection, and extra stowage.
The Leopard AS1 never saw battle, but they never sat idle. For over 30 years, they were the backbone of Australia’s armoured muscle – thundering through training grounds, sharpening defence strategies, and always ready to roll. In 1999, they were on standby during the crisis in East Timor, showing they were always mission‑ready. For many within the Royal Australian Armoured Corps, the Leopard was the tank they earned their stripes on.
Fast Firepower
The Leopard AS1 wasn’t built to throw its weight around – it was all about speed and smarts. At just 43.5 tonnes, the Leopard AS1 could clock over 60 km/h, leaving heavier tanks in its dust. Under the hood, a Daimler‑Benz diesel engine delivered the grunt, while its 105mm L7A3 gun packed plenty of punch. It was built to hit hard and move fast, with a fire‑control system that kept it deadly accurate on the move.
Changing of the Guard
The battlefield had moved on, and the trusty Leopard AS1 wasn’t cutting it anymore. So in 2004, the Australian Government announced they were upgrading to the M1A1 Abrams—a heavier, more powerful tank used by the US Military. By 2006 the first Abrams rolled in, and within a year the Leopards were standing down – ending more than three decades of loyal service. Many found new postings in museums and memorials, and now in a world-class collection across the globe.
A Lasting Legacy
This donation is more than just a tank swap. It’s a nod to the enduring defence ties between Australia and the UK, and a way to keep our shared Military history alive for future generations.
So if you’re ever in the UK and wandering through Bovington’s tank-lined halls, keep an eye out for the Leopard AS1. It might be thousands of kilometres from home, but it’s still flying the flag for Australia.
