Leopard 2A8
Leopard 2A8 is a modern main battle tank developed by the German company Krauss Maffei Wegmann. The Leopard 2A8 is based on the Leopard 2A7, but received a number of improvements such as the integration of the Trophy active protection system and an all-round situational awareness system.
The Leopard 2A8IT is a tank and support vehicle for the Italian Army. The agreement was signed by Leonardo SpA and Krauss Maffei Wegmann 13 December 2023. The agreement aims to produce, develop, and maintain the tanks and support vehicles. It also includes the establishment of production and development capabilities. Italy and Germany closed the procurement of Leopard 2A8IT MBTs deal for the Italian Army. Leonardo SpA and Krauss Maffei Wegmann reached the deal. Leo 2A8IT should be produced in Italy, and the presence of italian made systems of Leonardo is conceivable.
Berlin originally planned to upgrade its Leopard 2A6s to the 2A7+ level. There were even rumors that Rheinmetall might receive a large order for the sale of KF-51 Panther tanks. However, Germany subsequently chose the Leopard 2A8 version. the 2A8 modification will be built based on the Hungarian version of the Leopard 2A7HU tank. Hungary ordered 44 units of this tank some time ago. Although some features have not been officially confirmed, those familiar with the tank suggest that a new engine will also be integrated into the Leopard 2A8.
Leopard 2 main battle tank, which appeared in 1979, is not going to be retired for many years ahead, as evidenced by further plans for its modernization in Germany. By 2025, the new Leopard 2A8 modification should appear to replace the Leopard 2A7+. Europäische Sicherheit & Technik notes that the Bundeswehr wants to receive 18 such vehicles instead of the Leopard 2A6 transferred to Ukraine. Although the contract has not yet been signed, details of the tank's further development have already appeared.
In particular, it is indicated that the tank will be developed on the basis of the Leopard 2A7+, more precisely it’s going to be the Hungarian Leopard 2A7HU. At the same time, Defense Express notes that Krauss Maffei Wegmann has never defined how the A7HU differs from the A7+. Possibly, there are some minor differences, such as a combat machine gun module.
It has already been decided that the Leopard 2A8 will have the EuroTrophy ERA module, as well as additional protection against cluster munitions and the active use of 3rd generation spaced composite armor, which is made from a combination of steel, tungsten, plastic filler and ceramic elements.
Trophy active protection system is designed to protect the tank from the attack of anti-tank missiles. The system creates a controlled hemisphere above the tank, in the area of which radars track potential threats, if detected, they are destroyed by the automatic firing counter-measures. The system consists of several EL/M-2133 radars, which detect and identify missiles aimed at the tank, actuate launchers that fire the counter-measures that destroys the warhead before it hits.
Leopard 2A8 is also equipped with passive armor of the latest generation and protection of the bottom of the hull, which protects the crew in case of encountering mines and improvised explosive devices. The tank was able to install additional modules of overhanging armor or anti-RPG protection systems.
The Leopard 2A8 can be fitted with thick composite armor modules along the sides of the turret and the hull. Armor modules provide protection against RPG-7, which, depending on the ammunition, can penetrate up to 600 millimeters of steel armor.
The update will affect sighting devices, communication, other digital systems, including the fire control system, and an independent power unit will be added to the tank. The main armament will not be changed, that is, it will be a 120-mm gun with a length of 55 calibers. Although the range expansion of ammunition is not excluded.
The main armament for serial versions of the Leopard 2A8 is the Rh-120 L/55 120-mm smoothbore gun by the Rheinmetall, with a barrel length of 55 calibers. The tank is equipped with a modern EMES 15 fire control system with a stabilized main sight and double zoom. The primary sight has an integrated laser rangefinder and a Zeiss thermal imaging camera, both of which are connected to the tank’s fire control computer. The commander has a stabilized panoramic periscopic sight Rheinmetall/Zeiss PERI-R 17 A2, designed for day/night observation and target identification. It provides a circular view with 360° rotation.
The German government plans to purchase 18 Leopard 2 tanks to replace the Leopard 2A6, which the country has already transferred to Ukraine as part of a military aid package. The budget committee in the lower house of parliament is expected to approve the initial order of 18 tanks — worth about €525 million — at the end of May 2023. The Bundeswehr is poised to order 18 Leopard 2 tanks with an option for 105 more at a total cost of around €2.9 billion. The new tanks should enter the German army as early as 2025.
The government of the Czech Republic has authorized Defence Minister Jana Cernochova to negotiate the possibility of joining the purchase of Leopard tanks in the latest version, planned by the Federal Republic of Germany. “Since the beginning of my term, I have emphasized that the heavy brigade is among my priorities. In the case of Leopard tanks, they combine the best features of previous versions 2A4, 2A5, 2A6, and 2A7, proven in combat, and unequivocally belong to the technological forefront. I believe that negotiations with Germany will be successful, and our soldiers will receive modern technology they deserve, contributing to the overall defence capability of our homeland,” said Czech Defence Minister Jana Cernochová. The Czech Republic is eying 70 of the Krauss-Maffei Wegmann-made tanks in the 2A8 variant.
Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has announced that Norway's tanks will be of the 2A8 standard, as will any planned German procurement of new-build Leopard 2s. Norway's Leopard 2 tanks will be new 2A8 variant with active protection system Norway's Leopard 2 tanks will be new 2A8 variant with active protection system. KMW and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) have agreed to align the specifications of the 54 new Leopard 2 MBTs contracted in March with those for Germany's planned procurement of the tank. Norwegian Leopard 2s will share all the characteristics of the redefined 2A8 variant and will be know as Leopard 2 A8 NOR.
The Leopard 2A8 NOR has some additional features compared to the German, such as the integrated Kongsberg ICS/CORTEX system which handles data transfer in the MBT and communication with other combat systems. Norway's Leopards will be delivered between 2026 and 2031, and the contract is within the NOK19.7 billion ($1.9 billion) budget set by Norway's parliament,
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