Rheinmetall exhibits its modernization expertise at MSPO 2017. Poland has contracted with Rheinmetall to carry out a complete modernization of 128 Leopard 2 MBTs. In an industrial consortium with Polka Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and ZM Bumar-Labedy SA, Rheinmetall now serves as a strategic partner of the polish companies, contributing key technological know-how in areas such as electronics and advanced weaponry.

 The Leopard 2 PL version at MSPO 2017

During the course of modernization, the 128 Leopard 2A4 tanks will be upgraded to the new Leopard 2 PL standard. In the meantime, six Leopard 2A4 are undergoing modernization at Rheinmetall in Germany. The prototype is now in the verification/repair and upgrade phase. Delivery is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2018. Following delivery, the tank will be tested and verified by the Polish Ministry of Defence, WITPIS and the Polish Army. then once the Polish armed forces have granted approval for serial production, another five tanks will follow, which Rheinmetall will repair and upgrade in Germany.

With these five MBT's, transfer of upgrade know-how from Rheinmetall to ZMBL will be completed. Polish subject matter experts will be trained on-site in Germany. Modernization of the next twelve tanks will be completed at the Bumar-labedy plant under rheinmetall supervision. From this point, ZMBL will take responsability for project management, repair and retrofitting the remaining 110 tanks by 2020. In the course of the upgrade project, additional know-how will be transferred from Rheinmetall to ZMBL, with the focus on repair activities. In addition to the basic specifications covered in the current contract, the Polish Army has issued new requirments, which Rheinmetall and ZMBL are currently verifying. The idea is to implements most of these modifications within the original timeframe of the contract.

Visitor of MSPO 2017 can check out a demonstrator version of the Leopard 2 at the PGZ Group booth.