Germany will buy hundred of Leopard 2A8 to equip foreign based brigade.

The German Ministry of Defense plans to purchase 105 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks for $2.9 billion to deploy them in Lithuania.
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Leopard 2A8 presented at Eurosatory 2024 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The purchase of the Leopard 2A8 tanks is expected to be carried out under a contract with the defense equipment manufacturer KNDS, and delivery is scheduled for between 2027 and 2030. However, 70 units are to be delivered during the last two years of the contract.

The value of the deal is estimated at about 2.9 billion euros, with the operating cost of the new tanks reaching 750 million euros between 2032 and 2040. Despite this, the project still needs to be approved by the federal budget and other authorities, as funds for the purchase have not yet been allocated in the 2024 budget or the financial plan before 2027. The new tanks are particularly necessary to equip the German brigade based in Lithuania.

Last May, the budget committee of the German parliament approved an allocation of 525 million euros for the purchase of 18 Leopard 2A8 tanks, which will replace the same number of main battle tanks provided to Ukraine as part of military aid.

The Leopard 2A8 is a modern German main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). It succeeds the Leopard 2A7 and is the most technologically advanced version of this series. The tank is equipped with a new active protection system, enhanced armor, and modern fire control systems. It features a powerful 120 mm smoothbore cannon and is capable of engaging targets at long distances. The Leopard 2A8 is also equipped with modern communication and navigation systems, ensuring high combat efficiency.