The Bundeswehr gets 104 main battle tanks (KPz) Leopard 2 in the new version A7V. When delivery is complete in 2023, the army will then have 320 Leopard 2 MBTs at its disposal. The contract with a financial volume of approx. 760 million euros was signed on May 5, 2017, two early production vehicles were handed over in October 2019.
Nachdem über Jahre die Kampfpanzerzahl schrittweise abgebaut wurde, erfolgte auf Basis einer sicherheitspolitischen Neubewertung im April 2015 der Entschluss, diesen Prozess umzukehren. Das bis dahin vorgegebene Ziel, bis Ende 2015 die Stückzahl der Kampfpanzer auf 225 zu reduzieren, wurde aufgegeben und die Außerdienststellungen bei der Anzahl 236 gestoppt.
Durch die ehemalige Ministerin wurde im April 2015 entschieden, eine Stückzahlerhöhung durch Rückkauf von 100, im Industriebesitz befindlichen, älteren KPz Leopard 2 A4 und Übernahme von 16 KPz Leopard 2 A6 aus niederländischen Beständen zu realisieren.
Of the 100 vehicles, 68 flow into the growth program, the remaining 32 are held back for conversions into support vehicles. The aim is the long-term conversion of all family vehicles to the Leopard 2 basis in order to achieve logistical equality with the main battle tank. With the modernization, a higher level than the A7 version should be achieved if possible. This meant that the 16 Dutch Leopard 2 A6s and the existing German Leopard 2 A7s had to be upgraded to the new, uniform set-up. However, the main focus remains on increasing the number of units. Only improvements that had already been developed could be taken into account; all options that had not yet been qualified were not considered.
Digital monthly subscription Digital half-year subscription Digital Annual subscription
Register easily for a monthly subscription to benefit immediately from all ESUT Digital advantages.To the monthly subscription
for €6.00 / month
for 30 € / 6 months
for 60 € / 12 months
Enjoy the premium content and other benefits ofESUT Digital:
Related topics
First pictures of Trophy Leopard 2 Four Leopard 2 A4HU arrived in Hungary Leopard 2 A4HU for training Leopard 2 A7V goes to the troops Joint venture Euro Trophy is to be founded Comparative testing of main battle tanks in Norway First Leopard 2PL main battle tanks adopted 120 mm high-explosive ammunition for Swedish Leopard 2 main battle tanks More protection for Turkish Leopard 2 A4