Germany Could Acquire 35 Additional Leopard 2A8 Tanks While Waiting for MGCS.

According to an article from the German newspaper Hartpunkt dated April 30, 2024, approximately 35 additional Leopard 2A8 battle tanks are expected to be acquired initially as part of the existing contract with KNDS Deutschland. This acquisition is intended to serve as a "support pillar" in the short term for the transitional solution, which can only be fully implemented in the medium term. The cost of acquiring these approximately 35 battle tanks is expected to be around one billion euros. If the acquisition contract is signed in 2024, the tanks could be operational as early as 2026 according to statements from Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and KNDS CEO Ralf Ketzel. It takes about two years to produce a new Leopard 2 battle tank.
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The Bundeswehr plans to acquire additional Leopard 2A8 Main Battle Tank ( Picture Source: Open Source Information)

While the introduction of the future Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) into the German tank force will take another 20 to 25 years, the Franco-German development project is still in its conceptual infancy after several years of delay. To meet the needs of the armed forces for high-performance battle tanks in the interim, the Bundeswehr plans to acquire additional Leopard 2A8 tanks as well as a yet-to-be-defined battle tank as a temporary solution until the combat vehicles from the MGCS project become operational.

The Bundeswehr plans to fully equip the tank battalion stationed in Lithuania with the most modern type of tanks. With the 18 Leopard 2A8s already ordered to replace the Bundeswehr's battle tanks given to Ukraine, the task force would have a total of approximately 53 of these systems. It takes 44 battle tanks to fully equip a tank battalion.

However, it remains to be seen if this marks the end of the acquisition of Leopard 2A8s for the Bundeswehr. The Dutch Ministry of Defense confirmed in February 2024 considerations for the establishment of an autonomous tank unit. If implemented, this plan could also increase Bundeswehr's needs, as the Netherlands plans to train their tank unit with a German tank company equipped with Leopard 2A8s. This could result in an additional need for 14 battle tanks of this type.

From the 2030s onward, a more modern system will need to be introduced, adapted to current threats, and offering additional capabilities compared to the A8. This battle tank is expected to serve as a transitional solution until the introduction of the MGCS and is expected to have a service life of about 25 years.

Details of this new battle tank apparently will not be defined until 2026, when the results of various studies on mobility, protection, and effectiveness are available. These studies are currently being prepared. It is expected that they will include a 130mm cannon, a high-performance new powertrain, improved instrumentation, and enhanced protection systems.

As for the Leopard 2A8, it is a main battle tank designed and manufactured in Germany, widely used by Germany and the Czech Republic. It is equipped with a smoothbore 120mm cannon with a length of 55 calibers, providing impressive firepower. In addition to its main cannon, it is armed with a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun for close defense and a Trophy APS countermeasure launcher for protection against threats such as guided anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Its design incorporates a new generation of active and passive armor protecting against modern threats such as guided anti-tank missiles (ATGMs) and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). This enhanced armor ensures overall protection of the vehicle and its crew.

In terms of performance, the Leopard 2A8 is a rugged and fast tank. With a weight ranging from 65,000 to 67,000 kg, it can reach an impressive speed of 70 km/h on roads, providing great battlefield mobility. It also has an operational range of 450 km, allowing it to conduct operations over long distances without frequent refueling.

Its combat equipment includes a collective NBC (Nuclear, Radiological, Biological, Chemical) system for protection against CBRN threats, as well as various comfort and safety systems for the crew. This includes preheating of the powertrain, crew compartment heating system, fire suppression system, electric bilge pumps, thermal imaging system, auxiliary power unit, crew compartment cooling system, and panoramic sight for the commander.

With a crew of four, the Leopard 2A8 has imposing dimensions with a length of 7.7 meters, a width of 4.0 meters, and a height of 3.0 meters. These generous dimensions allow for comfortable accommodation of the crew and housing of its sophisticated equipment and combat systems.

However, it is not yet clear how many of these "transitional tanks" need to be acquired. This will depend on the models of Leopard 2s that need to be replaced by the new battle tank. It may be necessary to acquire between 90 and 300, depending on whether it is only older models below the A7 standard or also more modern systems.