Will Rheinmetall's Leopard 2A4-KF51 Panther hybrid tank be the star of Eurosatory 2024?.

As reported by the Twitter account Meumeu on June 2, 2024, Rheinmetall's latest military vehicles were seen heading to the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition in France. Among these vehicles is a new hybrid tank model that combines the chassis of the Leopard 2A4 with the turret of the KF51 Panther, featuring a 130mm gun. There are several possible explanations for this hybrid tank: it could be a demonstrator for the future Leopard 2AX, a solution for upgrading existing Leopard 2 fleets, or a competitor to the MGCS and E-MBT.
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Rheinmetall's latest military vehicles were seen heading to the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition in France, including a new hybrid tank model that combines the chassis of the Leopard 2A4 with the turret of the KF51 Panther, featuring a 130mm gun. (Picture source: Twitter/Meumeu)

One hypothesis is that the integration of the KF51's turret on the Leopard 2A4 chassis is part of Rheinmetall's strategy to offer an upgrade path for countries operating Leopard 2A4 tanks, similar to other projects around the world. For instance, Türkiye has integrated the Altay tank turret and indigenous armor into its Leopard 2A4s. Canada's Leopard 2A4M CAN includes additional composite and slat armor, a modernized fire control system, and advanced thermal imagers. Chile’s upgrades, managed by Aselsan, feature advanced optoelectronic systems, a new fire control system, and defensive enhancements including laser warning systems and potential active protection systems. Austria is also enhancing its Leopard 2A4s with improved protection and electronic systems.

Another hypothesis is that this hybrid tank represents a new evolutionary step in the Leopard 2 series, potentially leading to a model referred to as the Leopard 2AX, an upcoming variant of the Leopard 2 series, designed to follow the Leopard 2A8. This future model is anticipated to include a hybrid power plant and advanced protection systems, building on the technology of its predecessors. The Leopard 2AX is intended to serve as a transitional platform towards more advanced main battle tank concepts. This new prototype could suggest that Rheinmetall is combining proven elements of the Leopard 2 series with technologies from the KF-51 Panther to offer improved lethality, targeting systems, and operational flexibility for the future Leopard tank, potentially creating the future Leopard 2A9.

A further hypothesis is that the introduction of this hybrid model is a strategic move to position Rheinmetall's products as competitive alternatives to the Enhanced Main Battle Tank (E-MBT), which is also a hybrid design combining elements of two existing tanks, namely the German Leopard 2A7 and the French Leclerc. Similar to the KF51 Panther, the E-MBT features a two-man turret and an autoloader, which reduces crew size and increases efficiency. Furthermore, the advanced features and modular design of the KF51 Panther turret could be intended to offer capabilities comparable to these next-generation tanks, including the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), allowing countries to modernize their Leopard 2 fleets more quickly and cost-effectively.

Additionally, the hybrid tank may be designed to maintain interoperability with NATO and allied forces that use the Leopard 2 series, leveraging shared logistics, maintenance, and operational procedures. Lastly, Rheinmetall's broader technological approach is evident in this design, focusing on integrating digital systems, advanced armaments like the 130mm Rheinmetall Future Gun System, and enhanced multi-layered protection with the Leopard 2A4 chassis, therefore benefiting from proven mobility and robustness.

Rheinmetall's KF51 Panther main battle tank offers a wide range of weaponry, including a 130mm gun coupled with an autoloader, a 12.7mm coaxial machine gun, optional Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), and loitering munitions. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

The turret of the KF51 Panther offers a wide range of weaponry: its primary weapon, the 130mm Rheinmetall Future Gun System (FGS), is said to surpass the standard 120mm NATO guns. The FGS offers a 50% longer effective range, suggesting engagement distances potentially exceeding 4 kilometers. The gun is equipped with an autoloader that facilitates a rate of fire of approximately 11.25 rounds per minute, thanks to its conveyor-based magazines holding ten rounds each. During testing, the autoloader demonstrated the ability to fire three rounds in 16 seconds. The FGS can fire a variety of munitions, including Kinetic Energy (KE) rounds such as Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) for penetrating enemy armor, Programmable Airburst Ammunition effective against infantry and light vehicles with programmable fuses for optimal detonation, and Practice Projectiles for training purposes. These features ensure the Panther can engage a wide range of threats on the battlefield.

Supporting the primary armament is a 12.7mm coaxial machine gun, designed for engaging infantry, light vehicles, and other soft targets. This machine gun is coaxially mounted, meaning it is aligned with the main gun and integrated into the same targeting systems. This integration allows the crew to switch between the main and secondary armaments, enhancing the tank's versatility and responsiveness in combat situations. The 12.7mm machine gun provides additional firepower for situations where the use of the main gun is unnecessary or impractical, ensuring comprehensive engagement capabilities against a variety of targets.

The KF51 Panther offers options for Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), including configurations like the Rheinmetall Natter RCWS armed with a 7.62mm machine gun. These systems are designed for close-in defense and anti-drone operations, providing a critical layer of protection against emerging threats. The Natter RCWS is capable of elevating from -15° to +85°, allowing for a wide range of targeting angles, including the engagement of aerial threats. This flexibility ensures that the Panther can defend itself against various close-range and airborne threats, enhancing its overall survivability on the battlefield.

The KF51 Panther is equipped with HERO 120 loitering munitions, enhancing its strike capabilities. These munitions extend the tank's ability to engage targets beyond direct line-of-sight, offering precision strikes at extended ranges. The HERO 120 can be launched from the tank to hit high-value targets, providing indirect fire support and complementing the direct fire capabilities of the main gun. This integration of loitering munitions allows the Panther to engage a broader range of targets, including those hidden or situated at a distance, thereby increasing its operational effectiveness and versatility in various combat scenarios.