As reported by the German publication "Europaische Sicherheit & Technik" (ESUT) in the material of Waldemar Geiger, Gerhard Heiming "Neue Kampfpanzer - Bundeswehr soll Leopard 2A8 erhalten" ("New tanks - the Bundeswehr should receive Leopard 2A8"), as part of the procurement announced by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for the Bundeswehr 18 tanks to replace the same Among the Leopard 2A6 tanks transferred to Ukraine, the German army should receive 18 tanks of the new Leopard 2A8 modification designed and manufactured by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). These 18 tanks are due to enter the Bundeswehr in 2025 and will be the first Leopard 2 tanks of a completely new construction, acquired by them since 1992.
Prototype demonstrator of the Leopard 2A7 tank used for testing and demonstration of the EuroTrophy active protection complex of the EuroTrophy GmbH joint venture, 2022 (c) esut.deAt the same time, the purchase of these 18 Leopard 2A8 tanks for the Bundeswehr is supposed to be carried out through the conclusion of a framework agreement with KMW, which will also contain "options for the supply of a three-digit number of tanks of this type."
It is reported that the new modification of the Leopard 2A8 was developed by KMW based on a variant of the Leopard 2A7HU tank (version of the Leopard 2A7+ modification), in the amount of 44 units ordered by Hungary under the 2018 contract (deliveries of these vehicles to Hungary are planned from 2023). While retaining the Rheinmetall Rh 120 L55A1 120 mm/55 tank gun, the Leopard 2A8 tank should have improved armor protection using spaced composite multilayer armor of the third generation throughout the structure. It is stated that this innovative armor includes high-hardness armor steel, tungsten, plastic filler and ceramic components. Mine protection of the hull and protection of the roof of the hull and especially the turret from cluster munitions have also been strengthened.
The Leopard 2A8 tank should have "significantly upgraded optoelectronics and vetronics", in particular, the combination of video and infrared channels available to the entire crew, an upgraded fire control system, the introduction of a circular vision system and improved communication and networking capabilities. The tank will be equipped with a modified engine, the power of which has been increased from 1500 to 1600 hp. The tank will also have an auxiliary power plant with an increased capacity of 20 kW (instead of 17 kW on the Leopard 2A7V). At the same time, it is still unclear whether a remotely controlled machine gun combat module will be installed on the Leopard 2A8 turret.
The main feature of the Leopard 2A8 will be the regular integration of the EuroTrophy active protection complex based on the Trophy complex of the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The promotion and production of EuroTrophy KAZ is carried out by the EuroTrophy GmbH joint venture specially created for this purpose in Germany in 2022, organized by KMW, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
As already reported, previously imported from Israel sets of the original KAZ Trophy under the contract of February 2021 should receive in the Bundeswehr 18 upgraded KMW tanks, designated Leopard 2A7A1 (new-made chassis, towers from Leopard 2A6A3 cash tanks), the delivery of which is expected in 2024-2025.
According to ESUT, the modification of the Leopard 2A8 is considered by the German Ministry of Defense only as a transitional to the more significantly upgraded version of the tank developed by KMW under the symbol Leopard 2AX, which should be presented within two to three years.
Prototype of the Leopard 2A7HU tank for the Hungarian army, on the basis of which a modification of the Leopard 2A8 (c) KMW will be created for the German Bundeswehr
