EuroTrophy Secures Contract to Increase Protection of 123 German Leopard 2A8 Tanks with Trophy APS.

EuroTrophy, a leading European provider of active protection systems (APS), has secured a landmark contract with the Defense Company KNDS Germany to deliver 123 Israeli-made Trophy APS units. These will be integrated into the German Army’s next-generation fleet of Leopard 2A8 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs). The contract, which was officially announced today, also includes the provision of initial spare parts packages and technical services to ensure the successful integration of the Trophy system into the Army’s existing technical, operational, and logistical infrastructure.
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A German KNDS Leopard 2A8 tank equipped with the Trophy Active Protection System (APS) on display at Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, France. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

This contract marks a significant step in the evolution of the Trophy APS (Active Protection System), as it becomes an integral component of the Leopard 2A8 MBT’s (Main Battle Tanks) standard configuration, further cementing its status as a key asset in modern armored warfare. The Trophy system, which has already seen combat success, provides real-time vehicle protection by intercepting incoming threats, such as anti-tank guided missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

The award to EuroTrophy is not only a crucial win for the company but also highlights the growing recognition of Trophy as the leading APS within Europe and NATO. This marks the second major contract award for EuroTrophy in the last 12 months, following the Norwegian Army’s selection of Trophy for its Leopard 2A8 fleet. The Norwegian decision underscored Trophy’s proven performance and operational readiness, further strengthening its position as the APS of choice for European armed forces.

Dan Kalfus, Managing Director of EuroTrophy, expressed his pride in securing the German Army's trust, stating, “We are honored and grateful for this award, as it demonstrates our customer KNDS's high confidence in our combat-proven Active Protection System. With this step, Trophy has become an integral part of the Leopard 2A8 standard configuration.” Kalfus emphasized that integrating Trophy with Germany’s advanced Leopard 2A8 tanks would significantly enhance their survivability in future combat scenarios.

Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of EuroTrophy, added that this contract represents a milestone for EuroTrophy and the entire European defense community. “This contract award marks a major milestone and achievement in our joint effort to supply world-class technology to our European customers. We are convinced that Trophy will be the first choice for many other NATO and European users, which want to equip their MBT and IFV fleets with a Europe-made active protection system,” said Kauffmann.

EuroTrophy is a joint venture formed by three major defense entities: Rafael, KNDS, and GDELS. The company is the sole provider of a combat-tested, NATO-deployed, and European-made APS, making it a critical player in the European defense industry. With a focus on providing cutting-edge, life-saving technologies, EuroTrophy is poised to continue its growth in the global market by meeting the growing demand for effective, advanced protection systems for modern military vehicles.

The Trophy Active Protection System (APS) is an advanced defensive technology designed to protect armored vehicles from a variety of incoming threats, such as anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and other projectile threats. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and now integrated into various military platforms, Trophy uses sophisticated radar and electro-optical sensors to detect and track threats in real time. Once a threat is identified, the system rapidly calculates its trajectory and deploys countermeasures, such as shotgun-like projectiles, to intercept and neutralize the threat mid-air, before it can impact the vehicle. The trophy is renowned for its effectiveness in combat, having been successfully deployed in Israel and proven in operational environments. As a result, it has become a key component of many modern military platforms, significantly enhancing the survivability of main battle tanks (MBTs) and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in high-threat scenarios.

The Trophy APS has already proven its worth in several combat theaters, most notably in Israel, where it has been deployed on various platforms, including the Merkava Mk4 and the Namer IFV. Designed to detect and neutralize incoming threats before they can impact the vehicle, Trophy uses advanced radar and electro-optical sensors to provide 360-degree protection. Once a threat is identified, the system fires countermeasures to neutralize it mid-flight, preventing damage to the vehicle.

By integrating Trophy with the Leopard 2A8, Germany is ensuring that its MBT fleet remains one of the most technologically advanced and protected in the world. The Leopard 2A8, one of the most modern iterations of the Leopard 2 series, already boasts advanced armor, firepower, and mobility. The addition of Trophy further elevates the tank’s survivability, allowing it to operate with increased confidence in contested environments where asymmetric threats such as guided missiles and RPGs are prevalent.

EuroTrophy’s involvement in developing and deploying the Trophy APS is part of a broader effort to support the European defense industry and reduce reliance on non-European defense systems. As NATO member states increasingly seek to integrate European-made technologies into their military capabilities, EuroTrophy’s role as a life-saving, state-of-the-art defense system supplier positions it as a key player in the continent’s future defense strategy.

With this latest contract, EuroTrophy is well-positioned to continue its momentum in the European defense sector. As nations modernize their fleets and address new and evolving threats, the demand for advanced protection systems such as Trophy is expected to rise. EuroTrophy’s success in securing the German and Norwegian contracts demonstrates the trust placed in its products and the future potential for the company to expand its footprint across NATO and beyond.

As the only European provider of a combat-proven, NATO-deployed APS, EuroTrophy’s impact on the defense landscape is poised to grow significantly. It will provide European forces with unmatched protection on the modern battlefield.