Exclusive: KNDS Germany Tests New Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 Tank for Combined Counter-Drone and Anti-Tank Capabilities.

According to information published on March 2, 2025, on Nicholas Drummond’s X account, a defense industry analyst specializing in land warfare, ongoing tests with the German-made Leopard 2 ARC 3.0, developed by KNDS Germany, are evaluating the potential of combining counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) and counter anti-tank missile (ATGM) capabilities as part of the tank’s next-generation active protection systems. These advancements aim to restore the tank’s primacy on the battlefield, particularly in an era where precision-guided missiles, drones, and other asymmetric threats challenge the effectiveness of traditional armored vehicles. 
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

KNDS Germany plans tests on the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 tank, to evaluate its advanced counter-drone and anti-tank missile capabilities for enhanced battlefield survivability. (Picture source: KNDS-Germany)

KNDS-Germany designs the German-made Leopard 2 ARC 3.0’s integrated defense solutions to make the tank more resilient and adaptable to modern, complex threats. The focus is on creating a highly advanced tank capable of countering a broad range of contemporary battlefield challenges, from anti-tank missiles to unmanned aerial systems.

Unveiled during the Eurosatory 2024 defense exhibition in Paris, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 is not just a response to immediate threats but a strategic development ensuring the relevance of main battle tanks (MBTs) in future combat scenarios. Designed as an intermediate platform while awaiting the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), which is not expected to enter service until the 2040s, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 is built to meet the demands of today’s increasingly complex battlefield. The integration of counter-UAS and counter-ATGM systems addresses the growing importance of aerial threats and the proliferation of advanced missile technology, ensuring that the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 can operate effectively in multi-domain operations where high-tech adversaries are common.

The Leopard 2 ARC 3.0's armament is one of its standout features, reflecting the evolution of tank firepower to meet modern combat challenges. The main armament of the tank is a NATO-standard 120mm smoothbore gun, with options for the L55 or L44 variants, providing significant firepower for engaging armored targets at long ranges. However, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 is designed with flexibility in mind, as the main gun can be easily swapped with larger 130mm or 140mm cannons. This adaptability ensures that the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 remains capable of facing future threats and heavy armor, whether in close combat or longer-range engagements, enhancing its versatility on the battlefield.

In addition to the powerful main gun, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 is equipped with a secondary armament consisting of a remotely operated weapon station (RCWS) featuring a 30mm cannon, chambered for 30×113mm ammunition. This upgrade offers a major boost in capabilities compared to older models, which typically used 12.7mm machine guns. The 30mm cannon provides a hard-kill solution against unarmored and lightly armored vehicles, as well as an effective countermeasure against unmanned aerial systems (UAS), something the traditional machine guns could not accomplish. This increased firepower allows the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 to engage a wider variety of targets, from infantry and soft-skinned vehicles to drones and small aircraft, offering more flexibility in handling diverse threats on the modern battlefield.

The RCWS also integrates eight smoke grenade launchers (four on each side), embedded directly into the structure of the tank. This design reduces the vehicle’s profile and eliminates the need for additional external fixtures, keeping the overall silhouette sleek and more difficult to target. Smoke grenades are crucial for battlefield deception and protection, allowing the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 to obscure its movements or temporarily blind adversary targeting systems. This enhanced survivability feature is a vital asset when facing precision-guided munitions, airstrikes, or missile attacks, giving the tank a valuable advantage in situations that demand rapid tactical adjustments.

To complement the 30mm cannon, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 is equipped with an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system mounted on the turret. This system is capable of launching multi-purpose Line-of-Sight (LOS) and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missiles, extending the tank's reach and precision in striking heavily armored targets, such as enemy tanks, fortifications, or long-range targets. The ATGM capability offers an additional layer of offensive power, allowing the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 to engage targets beyond the effective range of its main gun, further enhancing its role as a multi-dimensional combat platform.

Beyond its armament, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 incorporates significant design and operational upgrades, especially concerning crew size and safety. The crew has been reduced to three members, all housed within the hull of the tank, offering better protection and reducing exposure to external threats. Notably, the turret is uncrewed, making way for a more automated system for quick reloading through an integrated autoloader. This shift reduces the vehicle’s overall weight without compromising its combat readiness or survivability. The tank's hull has been raised by approximately 100 mm, improving ergonomics and providing additional protection for the crew. This modification ensures better crew comfort and increases the tank’s overall defensive profile.

Access to the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 is made easier with two sliding hatches located at the front of the vehicle, while an emergency exit is available in the floor for quick egress in critical situations. These features make it easier for the crew to exit the vehicle under pressure and offer better escape options in case of a catastrophic event.

The Leopard 2 ARC 3.0’s defense systems also play a critical role in its overall survivability. The active protection system (APS) integrated into the tank is designed to intercept incoming anti-tank missiles and other projectiles before they can strike the vehicle, neutralizing threats in mid-air. This system, combined with counter-UAS technology, ensures that the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 remains operational even in high-intensity combat environments where the risk of precision-guided threats is high. By providing layered protection against both missile attacks and aerial threats, these combined systems help restore the tank’s dominance on the modern battlefield.

As testing of the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 continues, it is expected that the tank’s countermeasures and systems will be further refined, improving the overall effectiveness of its protection and weaponry. These ongoing evaluations are essential to determining the tank’s future operational viability and its potential to remain a key asset on the battlefield in the coming decades. As modern warfare increasingly relies on advanced technologies and complex threats, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0’s cutting-edge protection and firepower make it a formidable tool for military forces worldwide.

The Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 tank stands as a groundbreaking development in tank design, integrating advanced protection systems, versatile armament, and a streamlined, automated crew configuration. With its counter-UAS and counter-ATGM capabilities, combined with its powerful and adaptable weaponry, the Leopard 2 ARC 3.0 is designed to address the most pressing threats facing modern armored vehicles. As the tank’s testing continues, it is poised to become a critical force in future armored warfare, bridging the gap between current-generation tanks and the next-generation MGCS.