Written by War Diary edited by Jeff.
Based on the concepts of the 2A7A1 and incorporating parts from the 2A7V, the Leopard 2A8 is the most modern version of the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank. It is the result of the risk observed in Ukraine and of the requirements of the Norwegians for their Leopard 2A7NO (later renamed to 2A8NO) acquisition that will replace their current fleet of Leopard 2A4NO’s.
Sales and failed bids of the Leopard
Norway ordered 54 Leopard 2A8s on February 18, 2023, at around 19.7 million Norwegian kroner (1.79 million euros). Of the 54 vehicles that form the contract, 37 are in fact to be built in Levanger, Norway.
The tank has interested several countries, first and foremost the Czech Republic, whose government authorised its defence minister Jana Černochová at the end of May 2023 to negotiate for the purchase of around 70 Leopard 2A8. In June, the Czech government approved the purchase of 77 Leopard 2A8s. At the time of writing, the Czech government is still in negotiations with KNDS for this purchase.
Germany is just behind the Czech Republic, because in the same month, on May 26, 2023, it placed an order for just 18 to replace the Leopard 2A6s donated to the Ukraine as part of a 123 tank framework agreement with KNDS. However, a second call-off for 105 tanks, worth around 2.9 billion euros, was made to close the Bundeswehr’s stated deficit of main battle tanks.
Delivery of the first tanks is scheduled to begin in 2025 with the first batch of 18 tanks, with deliveries for the remaining 105 ordered tanks to begin in 2026 in three batches of 24, 36, and 34 vehicles, the last of which is to be completed by 2030. Panzerbataillon 203 is currently stated to be the first recipient of these new tanks.
Lithuania has also become interested in the procurement of main battle tanks through their interpretation of the conflict in Ukraine. To this end, the country decided to procure the Leopard 2 with plans to purchase 54 tanks. Just as with the Czech Republic, negotiations are still ongoing here as well.
On July 12, 2023, Undersecretary of Defence Isabella Rauti declared the countries intent to procure the Leopard 2 and to operate a split fleet between the Leopard and the legacy Ariete. The procurement of up to 132 tanks and 140 support vehicles was under negotiation between KNDS and Leonardo. An agreement was signed for production to be carried out locally, in La Spezia, by OTO Melara. The tanks were to be delivered in two phases, the first between 2024 and 2026 and the second between 2027 and 2037.
However, on June 11, 2024, KNDS and Leonardo announced the end of negotiations. The Italian manufacturers wanted to produce as much as possible themselves (Leonardo, OTO Melara, and Iveco Defence Vehicles), but the German manufacturers simply wanted the Italian manufacturers to handle a few components at most. As a result, the Italian side decided to abandon negotiations in favour of Rheinmetall’s KF51 Panther concept.
On September 5, 2024, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) that tanks would be returning to the Dutch army after a 13-year absence (apart from those leased from Germany for the 4th company of Panzerbataillon 414/414 Tankbataljion).
On October 14, 2024, Secretary of State Gijs Tuinman announced the 46 Leopard 2A8s for between 1 and 2.5 billion euros, including maintenance, training, and all aspects of the crews and vehicles themselves. The tanks are scheduled to enter service between 2027 and 2030.
Lastly, on August 10, 2024, the Croatian newspaper jutarnji.hr announced that the Croatian government was in the final stages of negotiations with KNDS for the purchase of 30 Leopard 2A8s. Later on October 28, 2024, Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 50 Leopard 2A8’s. This sale is partially financed by the sale of 30 M-84A4 Main Battle tanks and 30 M-80A infantry fighting vehicles to Germany, who will then donate the as military aid to Ukraine.
Known upgrades for the Leopard 2A8
- new sensors
- an improved fire-fighting system
- additional turret roof armour
- sliding roof hatches for the turret crew
- an improved engine with better cooling
- the latest version of the EWNA electric gun control system
- integration of the EuroTrophy’s Trophy MV
- the PERI RTWL periscope from Hensoldt
- Thales’ high-power solid-state power distribution boards (SSPDB)
The weight of the turret, its ergonomics, and its compliance with STANAG 4754 NGVA (NATO Generic Vehicle Architecture) were all examined in detail.
