Rolls-Royce and FFG upgrade Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank and Wisent 1 Mine Clearing Vehicle with Advanced MTU 8V199 Engine.

On September 4, 2024, Rolls-Royce and Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) announced a project to modernize Leopard 1 battle tanks and vehicles derived from this platform, such as the Wisent 1 engineering vehicle. This ambitious project, unveiled during the RÜ.NET user forum in Coblenz, aims to re-engineer these military vehicles by replacing their original engine with a more efficient and cost-effective solution.

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Rolls-Royce MTU 8V199 (Picture source: Rolls-Royce)

The Leopard 1 tank, in service since the 1960s, continues to be used by many armies worldwide. However, its current engine, the MTU MB838, is no longer produced, making an update necessary to extend the life of these vehicles. Rolls-Royce and FFG propose to replace this engine with the 8V199, a modern version manufactured by MTU, a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems.

The new engine offers 800 kW of power, 190 kW more than its predecessor, while being lighter and more economical in terms of fuel consumption and maintenance. According to Knut Müller, Senior Vice President of the Global Government division of Rolls-Royce Power Systems, "Our Series 199 engines are renowned for their reliability and performance. The 800 kW version is the ideal solution to ensure the operational efficiency of vehicles based on the Leopard 1."

FFG, one of the leading European companies in the field of military vehicles, plays a key role in this modernization project. Based in Flensburg, FFG is known for its expertise in upgrading and manufacturing armored vehicles. The company has developed a range of vehicles based on the Leopard 1 chassis, including the Wisent 1, designed for engineering and logistical support missions. FFG will be responsible for developing and integrating the new powertrain, as well as the cooling system and necessary adaptations to ensure full compatibility with existing platforms. The company is also known for its ability to provide innovative solutions to the logistical and operational challenges of modern armed forces.

Armies, including the German Bundeswehr, continue to use special variants of the Leopard 1, such as the BPz2 armored recovery vehicle, the Biber bridge-laying vehicle, and the Gepard anti-aircraft vehicle. The Wisent 1, a support vehicle developed by FFG, is also among the latest to benefit from this update.

The use of the 8V199 engine offers several strategic advantages for armed forces. In addition to improved performance, it helps reduce logistical costs by simplifying spare parts management for vehicles equipped with Series 199 engines, such as Boxer armored vehicles. FFG, with its solid experience in Leopard 1 modernization, will also develop the new powertrain and ensure its integration into existing systems.

In collaboration with ZF, the company responsible for transmissions, FFG will ensure that the 4HP250 transmission is compatible with the new engine, thus guaranteeing long-term reliability. The project, presented as a "plug-and-play" solution, could allow many armies to continue using Leopard 1 vehicles effectively and sustainably without incurring significant expenses in acquiring new platforms.

This modernization appears to be a practical and cost-effective solution for military forces seeking to keep their vehicles up to date in the face of technological advancements and growing operational needs.

The 8V199 engine has already been installed in several military vehicles, further strengthening its reputation for reliability and performance. Among these vehicles are the Boxer, a heavily used armored personnel carrier in European armies, and the Piranha V, a modular armored vehicle designed to adapt to various missions. The 8V199 also powers the M10 Booker, a next-generation light tank used by the U.S. Army, providing the latter with increased power and mobility on the battlefield.