According to German media, Germany has taken a step towards the creation of a new tank "Leopard 3" (Leopard3). It is reported that a contract has been signed for technical research of 130-mm ammunition, as well as a power plant, protection systems and other equipment. It is expected that these systems will be integrated into an intermediate main battle tank (MBT), which will be operated by the Bundeswehr until a completely new Franco-German product is available. Presumably, this more advanced tank will use some of the systems that are currently being studied.
Germany's federal armaments agency, BAAINBw , has published detailed information on technical research that has been conducted in three different areas: firepower, mobility, and security. All these new technologies must be compatible with the existing Leopard 2 MBT. However, if they are eventually integrated into a single platform, the new tank will be significantly different from the current Leopard 2. It is supposed to be called "Leopard 3", although it is also called "Leopard 2 AX" or "transitional solution".
Rheinmetall will conduct a study of 130-mm ammunition. This reflects a broader interest in the transition to increased—caliber tank weapons, and the gun itself is something Rheinmetall has been working on for some time.
Cannon Size Comparison
The work is divided into three stages for three different types of ammunition: DM13 projectiles, which will be used as qualification ammunition for testing; multifunctional high-explosive fragmentation ammunition DM11; and kinetic energy anti-tank ammunition DM23.
It was previously known that a large–caliber 130 mm cannon is planned to be used for the main combat ground system ( MGCS ), a Franco-German project aimed at creating a new improved MBT, as well as a "system of systems" from other vehicles with and without crew. It is expected that the tank component will eventually replace the existing Leopard 2 tanks in Germany, as well as the French Leclerc tanks.
The 130mm cannon from Rheinmetall has also been around for some time.
The 52-caliber smoothbore cannon was first demonstrated as a prototype in 2016. Rheinmetall stated at the time that the kinetic energy of the new cannon would be 50% higher than that of the 120mm cannon used in the Leopard 2.
Although this significantly increases the penetration capacity, the larger gun is also noticeably heavier and more massive than the 120mm. Rheinmetall representatives stated in 2016 that the 130mm cannon weighs 3.4 tons compared to about 2.9 tons of the 120mm cannon. At the same time, for larger projectiles weighing more than 30 kg and about 1.3 m long, an automatic loader will be required in the tower of the new design.
130mm Rheinmetall tank cannon.
Rheinmetall has already conducted demonstration firing from a 130-mm cannon, as well as large-scale simulations and research.
Meanwhile, Liebherr has been tasked with developing a new engine known as the OLYMP. Like the 130mm cannon, it will be developed for the "intermediate" Leopard 3 tank, but could potentially have other applications.
In the past, Liebherr developed and manufactured engines for the Marder 1 infantry Fighting Vehicle (BMP), as well as for its successor Lynx KF41 .
The description of BAAINBw shows the complete set of the final product. It includes the unit itself, as well as steering, manual transmission, cooling, air filtration and exhaust systems. The engine mounting points to the chassis, on-board gearboxes and connections to control and fuel supply systems are also mentioned. The study recommends using as many existing components from Leopard 2 as possible.
Two companies, Hensoldt and KNDS Deutschland, have been assigned to study the increased level of protection of the Leopard 3 tank, which requires the development of a "significantly more combat-ready version of the MUSS (multifunctional self-defense system)" from Hensoldt. This could lead to further improvements to MUSS 2.0, introduced by the company in 2024, for use on the Puma infantry fighting vehicle.
MUSS 2.0 on the BMP "Puma"
The modern MUSS 2.0 system is lighter and more compact than the original MUSS. It consists of four passive sensors located around the machine. Each of the sensors combines a missile and laser warning sensor, as well as a laser infrared jammer and an infrared jamming device.
The system is designed to protect against ATGM, but it can also detect tracer projectiles, muzzle flashes, gunfire, and low-power lasers. The MUSS 2.0 kit is capable of simultaneously detecting various threats, prioritizing them, and then countering them in semi-autonomous or fully autonomous mode. The threat database can also be updated regularly to deal with new and emerging threats.
Finally, Hensoldt and KNDS Germany should conduct two more technical studies involving work in the tuning system in the field, which is necessary to compensate for the effect of barrel bending, a phenomenon caused by temperature changes that can affect the accuracy of the main weapon. The Leopard 2 uses a manual position adjustment system in the field, for which the gunner is responsible. BAAINBw wants a fully automated system that eliminates manual adjustments.
The intermediate MBT, if the development continues, will provide the Bundeswehr with a tank that will serve at least until a completely new combat vehicle is developed as part of the MGCS project.
According to sources in the defense industry, the intermediate version of the Leopard 3 tank (provided that it receives such a designation) will be "adapted to the current threat level in terms of performance and will have additional capabilities compared to the Leopard 2A8 MBT." The latter is currently the most advanced production version of Leopard 2. The report adds that an intermediate version of the tank should begin entering service in the 2030s, if approved by the German government. After that, the model should last about 25 years.
Leopard 2A8 tank
At this stage, the final characteristics of the Leopard 3 tank have not yet been determined, and they are likely to be clarified after the completion of the designated three technical studies. BAAINBw expects this work to be completed by the end of 2026.
It is unclear how the new technical research will affect the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 version, which was introduced by the Franco-German defense conglomerate KNDS in the summer of 2024. This new version of the Leopard 2 is equipped with a fully uninhabited turret that can be armed with an even larger 140mm cannon. The tank is also equipped with an integrated ATGM and a remote-controlled weapon system armed with a 30 mm automatic cannon optimized to combat UAVs, which now pose a serious threat.
"Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0". A retractable rocket launcher is visible on the roof of the tower.
KNDS plans to put the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 up for sale, but also expects the vehicle to be a key milestone on the road to next-generation MGCS. In 2024, KNDS announced that it would create a new joint company with Germany's Rheinmetall and France's Thales specifically to work on MGCS.
As for Rheinmetall, the concern also introduced its own new-generation tank, the KF51 Panther , back in 2022. Previously, it was expected that the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 would compete directly with the KF51, but recent technical studies show that BAAINBw is considering a different solution. Although it is largely based on the Leopard 2, it will be a more ambitious project than the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0, which, as far as is known, does not include a new powerplant.
Anyway, it is noteworthy that Germany is again very actively developing tanks, which reflects broader trends. After many years during which many tank operators either reduced their fleet of vehicles or completely got rid of it, tank forces are experiencing a kind of revival, which was greatly facilitated by the conflict in Ukraine.
According to the materials of the resource www.twz.com
