Procurement of a further 105 Leopard 2 A8s approved
Gerhard Heiming
It was the most expensive project in the last meeting of the German Bundestag's budget committee before the summer break. The committee has released 2.9 billion euros for the requested procurement of 105 Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks and expenses for their operation until 2040.
In May 2023, the Bundeswehr concluded a framework contract for the procurement of 123 Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks and immediately called up 18 tanks as replacements for delivery to Ukraine (ESuTreported). These are scheduled to be delivered in 2025/2026.
The 105 tanks agreed as an option in the framework agreement can now be called up. This means there is no longer any room for the participation of other nations, which was actually intended. After a start-up of eleven tanks, the 105 tanks are to be delivered in 2027 in installments of 24 pieces, 36 pieces and 34 pieces in the years up to 2030. 2.3 billion euros are earmarked for this. In addition, an availability guarantee should be agreed until 2040, which also applies abroad (e.g. Lithuania). The latter is still the subject of negotiations with the main contractor KNDS Germany. The plan calls for 640 million euros for this.
KNDS will rely on numerous subcontractors to implement the contract. These include Rheinmetall Landsysteme, Eurotrophy, Rolls Royce Solutions, Hensoldt Optronics, Renk, Vincorion, DST Defense Service Trac, ZF Friedrichshafen and ATM Computer Systeme as well as Mytilineos Metka and Hellenic Defense Vehicles from Greece.
The Leopard 2 A8 is one of the most modern battle tanks in the world. In addition to Germany, Norway has ordered 54 Leopard 2 A8s. The Czech Republic is well advanced in the procurement process. Other nations, including Lithuania and the Netherlands, have expressed interest.
The German procurement authority has introduced the Leopard 2 A8 configuration because it is a completely new build and integrates the APS Trophy active protection system (from EuroTrophy). The components are optimally implemented in the newly designed hull and tower.
Gerhard Heiming