Gunner and commander sights on Leopard 2 main battle tanks are to receive new sensors from Cassidian Optronics, a subsidiary of Airbus Defense and Space.

Cassidian Optronics said the main element of the sensors is ATTICA, a third-generation thermal imager.

The device, together with other sensors to be delivered, whil gives tank crew the ability to reconnoiter, identify and tag targets at much greater distances and under limited visibility conditions.

With the system, a tank commander can pass the information on to the gunner and continue to acquire other targets.

The device became standard in the PERI R17 commander's sight in Germany in 2013.

Cassidian said more than 100 Leopard 2s operated in Germany, Canada and Denmark are to receive the upgrade under the contract, which is worth about $20.3 million.

Cassidian Optronics did not provide a delivery schedule for the new sensors, which will standardize gunner and commander sights on German Leopard 2 tanks and those of other countries using the tanks.