Germany’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it will submit an acquisition proposal next year to procure 75 additional Leopard 2A8 tanks for the Bundeswehr. The announcement was made by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius during the unveiling event of the first Leopard 2A8 built for Germany and Norway at the KNDS Deutschland facility located in the Allach district of Munich. So far, the Bundeswehr has ordered 123 units of this variant, considered the most recent version of the Leopard 2 model.
According to information released by the industry and specialized media, the future purchase would also correspond to the Leopard 2A8, a version requested by other European countries such as Lithuania, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The estimated price of the complete system amounts to around 20 million euros per vehicle.
Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Deutschland, noted that more countries may join as operators of the Leopard 2A8, including Spain and other Baltic states. He also indicated that there is additional demand in southeastern Europe, recalling that Croatia announced in 2023 its intention to acquire up to 50 tanks of this version. The adoption of a common configuration aims to facilitate interoperability among user countries and reduce maintenance costs, although technical differences between the German and Norwegian vehicles remain. For instance, Norway equips an Israeli-made laser warning system, while Germany uses a domestically produced one already in service.
The Leopard 2A8 presented in Munich is the first tank built entirely from scratch for the Bundeswehr since 1992. This vehicle must undergo the Integrierte Nachweisführung process—which includes technical evaluations and tactical testing by troops—before receiving authorization for use and beginning serial delivery. Panzerbrigade 45, deployed in Lithuania, will be the first major German Army unit to receive this version.
The Leopard 2A8 model is the latest evolution of a system already operated by 15 European countries. Under the German framework contract, 257 vehicles have been committed: 123 for Germany, 44 for Lithuania and 44 for the Czech Republic, in addition to options for another 20 units.
During the event, the Panzerhaubitze 2000 A4 was also presented, a modernized version of the artillery system previously supplied to Ukraine. In relation to the security context, Pistorius stated: “The Bundeswehr acts.” The minister added that both the Leopard 2A8 and the Panzerhaubitze 2000 A4 are priority capabilities for the land forces, highlighting: “It is a good day for the Bundeswehr and for security in Europe.”
Pistorius emphasized the need to respond to the current strategic environment: “We are living in times marked by crises and conflicts. These times require more armament and growth.” He also stressed the importance of accelerating decision-making processes and the arrival of new systems: “We no longer describe the situation or discuss appropriate terminology. No, we act.”
Cover image sourced from NATO in Germany.
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