The Leopard I was one of the most iconic tanks of the Cold War, with numerous variants developed for service outside of Europe. One was the AS1, which served with the Australian Army for some three decades. The Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, is now home to one of these armored vehicles, thanks to a generous donation from down under.
The Leopard AS1 was previously on display at the Australian Army Tank Museum in Puckapunyal. It was presented to the Tank Museum during a special presentation at TANKFEST 2025; Col. Michael King, the Australian Army’ adviser in London, United Kingdom, and liaison officer Lt. Col. Michael Henderson presented the vehicle to Lt. Gen. Sir William Rolo and Chris Price, the chairman and director of the Tank Museum, respectively.
Speaking about the donation in a press release, Col. King said:
“It is a great pleasure to see this important piece of Australia’s contemporary military history donated to the museum as a reflection of how our armored forces fighting alongside each other in conflicts over the past 100 years has contributed to our strong strategic bond.”
The German-designed Leopard I entered service in 1965, in the middle of the Cold War. It was a marked difference from the vehicles that saw action during World War II, as it traded the heavy armor and guns from that era for speed and mobility. It caused such a stir that it immediately saw orders from nations across the world, creating a successful export market.
Entering service with the Australian Army in 1977, the Leopard ASI (named for the NATO abbreviation for Australia) remained an integral part of the country’s military until 2007, when it was replaced by the American-made M1A1 Abrams.
“We are very grateful to the Australian government for this kind gift, and to Col. Michael King, the Australian Army adviser in London, and to the Australian team who have helped us bring this immaculate Leopard AS1 main battle tank to the UK,” Gen. William Rollo said in a press release. “I don’t believe we have ever seen a tank in better condition.”
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The Leopard AS1 is currently being housed in the Vehicle Conservation Centre at the Tank Museum, with it slated to run on special occasions.