It is reported that on May 25, 2023 in Koblenz, the German Federal defense procurement agency Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) signed a framework contract with the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) for the purchase of 123 new Leopard 2A8 main tanks for the German army.
Prototype demonstrator of the German Leopard 2A7 tank used for testing and demonstration of the EuroTrophy active protection complex of the EuroTrophy GmbH joint venture, 2022 (c) Krauss-Maffei WegmannThe firm part of the contract provides for the development and delivery of 18 tanks of the new Leopard 2A8 modification for the German army at a price of 525.6 million euros until 2026, intended to replace the 18 Leopard 2A6 tanks transferred to Ukraine from the Bundeswehr.
The contract also includes a logistics package, including spare parts and maintenance of these tanks for five years. The option to the contract provides for the supply of another 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks at an agreed price of 2.4 billion euros.
The framework contract was signed the day after the corresponding allocation of funds was approved by the budget committee of the German Bundestag. The purchased tanks will be the first Leopard 2 tanks of a completely new construction, acquired by the Bundeswehr since 1992.
Recall that in April 2023, it became known that as part of the purchase announced by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for the Bundeswehr of 18 tanks to replace the same number of Leopard 2A6 tanks transferred to Ukraine, the German army plans to purchase tanks of a new modification of Leopard 2A8 designed and manufactured by KMW.
Meanwhile, on May 24, 2023, the Czech government announced that it had instructed the Minister of National Defense of the Czech Republic, Jana Chernokhova, to negotiate joining in the form of a joint program to Germany's planned purchase of new Leopard 2A8 tanks. In total, the Czech Republic intends to purchase about 70 of these tanks with their delivery by the end of the decade.
As part of the joint procedure of Leopard 2A8 tanks with Germany, the Czech side expects a significant reduction in cost, a reduction in delivery times and the provision of adequate logistical support. The Ministry of National Defense of the Czech Republic should officially contact the representative of the German Ministry of Defense in a short time with a request to start negotiations on the conditions under which the Czech Republic could join the purchase of Leopard 2A8 tanks, which the Germans are planning.
It is reported that a number of other NATO member states - in particular, Italy, the Netherlands and Lithuania - are considering a similar accession to the Leopard 2A8 tank acquisition program with Germany.
It was reported that the Leopard 2A8 modification 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.
German specialized resources also report that the modification of the Leopard 2A8 is considered by the German Ministry of Defense only as a transition to a more significantly upgraded version of the tank developed by KMW under the symbol Leopard 2AX, which should be presented within two to three years.
