According to the German press, the Berlin Ministry of Defense is close to finalizing an extension of the already existing framework agreement with KNDS DE for the production of further Leopard 2A8s.
In particular, the German Defense would be interested in purchasing another 35 Leopard 2A8s to add to the 18 examples already under contract.
These new tanks would serve to complete the equipment of the Tank Battalion which will be permanently deployed in Lithuania, as part of the agreements between Berlin and Vilnius, with the presence in the Baltic country of a Heer Mechanized Brigade to strengthen its defenses.
Typically the German Tank Battalion is organized into 3 Tank Companies each with twelve tanks plus the two vehicles of the Commander and the Deputy Company Commander, to which are added the tanks of the Commander and Deputy Battalion Commander, for a total of 44 vehicles .
Evidently, the additional 9 examples would be used to create a reserve and to manage the operational line when the tanks are stopped for major maintenance, as well as for training purposes.
These additional tanks are expected to be delivered within two years of the contract being signed and, therefore, expectedly by 2026-2027 if they are ordered by the summer of this year.
Towards the production of further Leopard 2A8s or a new vehicle while waiting for the MGCS
It will be necessary to understand whether Berlin will consider the supply of Leopard 2A8 concluded with these 35 additional examples or whether it will decide to proceed with further orders; in fact, while waiting for the MGCS with France (and Italy) which will not be available before 2040-45, there is a need for the Bundeswehr to replace the Leopard 2A5/A6 which have not been brought up to the A7/A7V level.
To meet this need in Germany there are two “schools of thought”: the first is to continue the production of the Leopard 2A8 with further improvements while the second would like the launch of a new program, much more than a sort of “solution bridge” with the new European combat vehicle, on which to bring together all the new generation systems developed so far or currently being developed by the German industry, including the 130 mm caliber cannon.
It is clear that the second option could attract the interest of many current and future users of the various versions of Leopard 2 to request participation in this program and would make it much less urgent for Germany to replace the Leopard 2A7 and 2A8 with the MGCS.
The German framework agreement and the countries involved
In 2023, the German Defense entered into a framework agreement with the industrial consortium formed by KNDS DE (Krauss Maffei Wegmann and Nexter Group) and Rheinmetall, open to the participation of other countries, for the production of 126 Leopard 2A8s, which can also be increased according to new participation in the program.
The first country to opt for the Leopard 2A8 was Norway which in February 2023 selected the Leopard 2A7 to be purchased in 54 examples; moreover, in the following month of June, following the launch of the A8 version, the Oslo Defense decided to adapt the specimens to be produced to the new standard in order to obtain the benefits in long-term technical and logistical support.
The Czech Republic has now advanced negotiations underway for 76 examples of these Leopard 2A8s which will be added to the aforementioned 18 ordered by the Bundeswehr to replace the Leopard 2A4s sent to Ukraine as military aid.
The Netherlands has also announced its intention to reconstitute the tank component, currently limited to a company of Leopard 2A6s leased from Germany, with at least one Battalion out of 52 examples to be assigned to the German-Dutch Brigade, even if, at the moment, not there have been official steps to join the framework agreement; moreover, at the end of 2023, the Amsterdam Ministry of Defense signaled to the Amsterdam Parliament the opportunity for full Dutch participation.
Italy switches to the Leopard 2A8IT
Lastly, Italy has decided to purchase the Leopard 2A8 and the special versions of the Leopard 2 for the needs of the Engineers and as recovery and rescue tanks, launching an industrial cooperation program between Leonardo and the German industry which will involve production in our Country of 132 Leopard 2A8 which will be “heavily” Italianized with systems developed and fine-tuned for the Centauro II program and the mid-life modernization (AMV) of the Ariete tanks, and another 140 Leopard 2 platforms for the Engineers and special versions.
Features of the Leopard 2A8
The Leopard-2A8 will be based on the Hungarian Leopard-2A7HU version and will feature a higher level of protection, with reinforced armor and an APS EuroTrophy active protection system, produced by the joint venture between RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems, KNDS and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).
The armor of the Leopard 2A8 is of the composite type, made of a steel and tungsten alloy which is reinforced with ceramic elements and synthetic materials. Furthermore, the level of protection of the floor and roof of the turret has been improved compared to the Leopard 2A6/2A7 to deal with mines/IEDs and the threat posed by drones, and a new fire and explosion prevention system is planned more efficient than those currently in use on the Heer’s Leopard 2s, also in light of the data obtained on the Ukrainian battlefields.
The Leopard-2A8 retains the 120mm L55 main armament of the Leopard 2A6-A7 which can fire all modern 120mm tank ammunition; further innovations consist of the more powerful engine and the greater electrical capacity of the APU, the adoption of improved communication systems and an advanced fire control system, as well as the possibility of installing an RWS for close defense also to counter drones .
Furthermore, improvements are planned for the crew with the addition of air conditioning systems, new seats and day and night perimeter cameras for management and surveillance around the vehicle.
Photo @KNDS DE
