Overview
- Manufacturer KNDS publicly presented the Leopard 2 A8 in Munich as the Bundeswehr’s next-generation main battle tank.
- Germany has ordered 123 tanks for planned expenditures exceeding €3.4 billion, largely financed from the Bundeswehr special fund.
- BAAINBw says trials are scheduled for 2026 with all vehicles planned to be fielded by 2030.
- The A8 is factory-fitted with Rafael’s Trophy hard-kill active protection system and features strengthened armor and digital enhancements.
- The order includes 18 replacements for Leopard 2A6s sent to Ukraine, and other buyers include Croatia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the Czech Republic.