Between 1968 and 1971, Belgium acquired 334 Leopard 1 tanks from West Germany to replace its M47 Pattons. As its equipment became outdated, Belgium began developing a modernisation programme in the late 1980s. In 1987, SABCA and OIP Land Systems received contracts to develop an upgraded configuration based on the Belgian Leopard 1A1+ and 1A3. Following prototype and pre-series work, 132 tanks were converted to the Leopard 1A5BE standard between 1994 and 1997. The upgrade retained the 105 mm L7A3 gun and original mechanical architecture while introducing an improved fire-control system, thermal observation and upgraded turret-control equipment. The vehicles entered service during the post-Cold War reduction of the Belgian armoured forces and remained in use until 2014. Belgian Leopard 1A5BEs also participated in international operations, including the Kosovo mission.

The Belgian Leopard 1A5BE was introduced in Update 2.57 "Heavy Cavalry" as part of the French ground forces. It is a counterpart to the German Leopard 1A5, retaining the 105 mm L7A3 gun, laser rangefinder and thermal imaging capability. Compared with the German vehicle, the 1A5BE uses a different gunner's sight and lacks the additional armour fitted to the German version. It can also be distinguished by its characteristic additional storage boxes around the hull and turret, while the Belgian vehicle is not equipped with a dozer blade. Its good mobility, thermal imaging, and laser rangefinder allow it to engage targets effectively at longer ranges, although its lightly armoured hull and turret offer limited protection against enemy fire.