As reported by the German edition of Europäische Sicherheit & Technik in [...] Gerhard Heiming's article "Entwicklungsaufträge für die Brückenlösung Leopard 2" ("Contracts for the development of a transitional version of the Leopard 2 tank"), on February 5, 2025, the German Federal Defense procurement agency Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) announced the conclusion of the In November-December 2024, there were seven R&D contracts for the development of elements of a promising configuration of the Leopard 2 main tank. Earlier, the Hartpunkt information resource reported on a series of these R&D contracts. The complex of these contracts includes an automated system for adjusting a tank cannon, three types of ammunition for a promising cannon, an improved self-defense system and a new engine.
Prototype demonstrator of the Leopard 2A8 (c) KNDS Deutschland main tank
As an interim solution between the fully developed Leopard 2A8 tank and a promising tank under the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) program, which is scheduled to enter service in the mid-2040s, the Bundeswehr wants to preserve the dueling capabilities of the Leopard main tank with the most advanced elements. It is expected that the decision on the configuration of such a "transitional" tank will be made in the second half of 2026. Its entry into service may take place in the early 2030s.
Due to the projected radical changes compared to its predecessors, this transitional solution, which will continue to be implemented as a "single platform", may be called Leopard 3.
According to the BAAINBw announcement, three types of 130 mm ammunition will be developed under this program. This seems to indicate that a preliminary decision was made in favor of installing a 130mm Rheinmetall tank cannon, at least for a transitional solution, and possibly even for MGCS.
Gun alignment system
During operation, the mechanical alignment of the tank gun must be repeatedly adjusted using the fire control system to reliably hit the target from the first shot. The influencing factors are solar heating or shooting. "Since the gun is constantly exposed to these influences, regular adjustment is necessary. In order to unload the crew or enable them to perform other tasks during field adjustments and at the same time minimize the process time, it is necessary to develop automation of alignment," BAAINBw reports.
Two OCDS were ordered on this topic. For the contract awarded to Hensoldt, the published requirements were simply for an "automatic alignment system" and compatibility with the 120 mm Rh120 L55 cannon, regardless of the fire control computer option. This ROC can be used to refine cash tanks.
For KNDS Deutschland (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann), the contractor of the second ROC, the task was to improve the accuracy of a direct shot. This corresponds to the MGCS requirement to increase the probability of hitting a target from the first shot.
130 mm ammunition
Rheinmetall Waffe-Munition, in accordance with the contracts, will first develop a 130-mm qualifying test shot under the designation DM13 for a tank cannon. These shots are necessary to test the technical reliability of the 130-mm gun system. "The goal is to reduce costs and time as much as possible by developing these shots specifically for the certification of guns," BAAINBw said.
The 130mm multipurpose shot being developed is called the DM 11. This high-explosive shot can be used with an impact fuse and with a programmable delayed-action fuse. "The description of the work includes the necessary (further) development of technologies and materials, as well as the creation and testing of shots," BAAINBw said in an announcement.
The third type of 130mm rounds is combat-grade armor-piercing rounds, which are capable of piercing armor even at long distances at high speed. They will also be used, among other things, for the qualification tests of the 130-mm cannon.
"Optical detection"
Under this unusual name (optikdetektion), Hensoldt Optronics, under another contract, is to expand the capabilities of its multifunctional self-defense complex Multifunktionalen Selbstschutz-System (MUSS), currently being installed on the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. The MUSS is a combination of an electro-optical sensor and jamming devices. The complex detects laser, infrared and sound radiation from guided missiles and their guidance systems and drowns them out using infrared or smoke interference. The improved MUSS complex will be integrated on tanks starting with Leopard 2A7.
Engine
Despite all the improvements in the characteristics of the Leopard 2 tank, its engine has not changed much so far. Now KNDS Deutschland has received a contract to develop an alternative engine called OLYMP. The goal is to increase the mobility of the tank. For this purpose, it is necessary to recycle the entire composition of the engine and transmission compartment with an internal combustion engine, steering, gearbox, cooling system, gorenje air filtration and exhaust system. As the lead contractor, KNDS Deutschland optimizes engine components with the involvement of specialized contractors for the engine, transmission and other units, and will replace these components if necessary. BAAINBw indicated that it is necessary to use as many components of the existing system (identical parts) as possible. The result should be presented as a demonstration sample on the tank provided by BAAINBw.
Creating a new tank
The full results of these R&D activities should be submitted no later than November 2026. This means that the main results should be available in time for making a decision on the configuration of the future Leopard 3 tank. Combined with new developments for the Leopard 2A8 tank, which formed the basis of the Leopard 3, the decision to create such a "transitional" tank can provide a significant leap in the characteristics of the main tank and effectively reduce the time gap before the MGCS enters service.
Strict adherence to schedules and reliable financing are needed to ensure that the Leopard 3 enters service in the early 2030s. Delays in providing the necessary funds may jeopardize these deadlines.
Advanced armor-piercing rounds of 120 mm and 130 mm caliber in front of the barrel of a 130 mm advanced tank gun developed by Rheinmetall (c) Rheinmetall
