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Rheinmetall Supplies New Generation of Tank Ammunition for German and British Armies.
On October 8, 2024, Rheinmetall, a leader in combat tank armament, was commissioned to provide qualification samples of its advanced 120mm KE 2020 Neo ammunition to the Bundeswehr and the British Army. This joint project marks a major advance in Rheinmetall's efforts to counter modern protection technologies with state-of-the-art ammunition.
The KE2020 Neos is a 120mm x 570mm round incorporating a high-strength tungsten penetrator. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)
The KE2020 Neo, also known as Enhanced Kinetic Energy (eKE) ammunition, represents the latest innovation in Rheinmetall's kinetic energy (KE) ammunition series. Leveraging decades of expertise, this 120mm x 570 ammunition integrates a high-strength tungsten penetrator, designed to overcome the latest protection systems with increased penetration capability.
Rheinmetall’s KE projectile series has significantly evolved since the initial DM13 model. It was followed by the DM23 in the 1980s, then the DM33, and later enhanced versions such as the DM53 and DM63, developed to meet the needs of the upgraded Leopard 2 A6 tank. Currently, the DM73 is the most advanced ammunition in the series, deployed by the Bundeswehr with the L55A1 high-pressure gun. Notably, the DM63 version has been updated to comply with the EU’s REACh regulations, thus meeting European environmental standards.
The official qualification contract, signed in September 2020 between Germany's Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology, and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, underscores Rheinmetall’s leading position in smoothbore and tank armament technology. Rheinmetall's 120mm smoothbore technology, including the Rh120 guns and its ammunition family, has become the NATO standard for main battle tanks, such as the Leopard 2 and the M1 Abrams, and is being integrated into the Challenger 3 tank, enhancing its combat capability.
Beyond qualification ammunition, the collaboration between Rheinmetall, Germany, and the UK progresses toward a modernization of tank ammunition across NATO forces. This partnership, including the British Army’s Challenger 3 and Germany's Leopard 2 platforms, aims to standardize ammunition types among NATO members, enhancing interoperability. This agreement not only solidifies Rheinmetall’s position in tank armament technology but also opens the door to future collaborations with other NATO allies, creating important export opportunities for Rheinmetall and its UK partners.
The new KE 2020 Neo rounds will also support the Challenger 3 modernization program, where a smoothbore gun will replace the rifled cannon of the Challenger 2. This change aligns the British tank with NATO-standard configurations, with full operational capability expected by 2030, and the ammunition scheduled to be ready by that time.