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The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has ordered 20 MTU MB 873 Ka-501 engines from Rolls-Royce. The engines will go into circulation reserve for vehicles with Leopard 2 chassis and will be available when engines go into overhaul.

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Leopard 2 engine during the dyno run. The operational readiness of the vehicles from the Leopard 2 family increases with the additional engines and the extensive range of spare parts. / Photo: BAAINBw

The stock of Leopard 2 family vehicles is growing as a result of the increase in the number of main battle tanks by 84 combat vehicles and the procurement of 31 Leguan bridge-laying vehicles and at least 41 armored Kodiak engineer machines, writes the BAAINBw. This results in a higher demand for replacement engines. Instead of first removing the engines as part of the factory repairs and then servicing them, the Bundeswehr will now have sufficient replacement engines to be able to replace the engines at short notice, according to the BAAINBw. This significantly increases the operational readiness of the vehicles for training, exercises and mission-like obligations. The new engines will also replace the partially outdated engines in the current tanks.

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While the engines are being overhauled at the factory, the vehicles are still available for training, exercises and mission-like commitments. Photo: BAAINBw

After a Europe-wide tender, the BAAINBw has concluded the supply contract with Rolls Royce Powersystems, which is worth 18 million euros. In addition to the 20 engines, an extensive spare parts package is included in the scope of delivery. The first engines are to be delivered from August 2023.

Editors / gwh