Overview
- Bundeswehr has 123 Leopard 2 A8s on order for more than €3.4 billion, with trials slated for 2026 and deliveries scheduled from 2027 to complete by 2030.
- The defense minister said the government plans to submit a procurement proposal next year for 75 additional tanks, expanding the program beyond the current order.
- The new model integrates Rafael’s Trophy active protection system, reinforced roof armor and upgraded digital sensing, with first units planned for the brigade stationed in Lithuania.
- Pistorius will convene a December defense industry summit to demand clear timelines, scalable output and resilient supply chains, alongside continued reform of the procurement office.
- Planning for a follow‑on Leopard 3 in the 2030s is underway with a new 130 mm main gun, as experts note the A8’s near‑70‑ton weight raises mobility concerns on older bridges.