Germany may purchase 105 additional Leopard 2A8 tanks to equip its brigade in Lithuania

The German Ministry of Defence plans to purchase 105 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks for $2.9 billion to deploy them in Lithuania.

Here's What We Know

The purchase of Leopard 2A8 tanks is planned to be carried out under a contract with the defence equipment manufacturer KNDS, and delivery is scheduled for 2027 and 2030. However, 70 units are to be delivered during the last two years of the contract.

The deal is estimated to be worth approximately €2.9 billion, with the cost of operating the new tanks reaching €750 million between 2032 and 2040. Despite this, the project still needs to be approved by the federal budget and other authorities, as funds for the purchase have not yet been allocated in the 2024 budget or the financial plan until 2027.

The new tanks are needed, in particular, to equip the German brigade to be based in Lithuania.

Last May, the German Parliament's budget committee approved the allocation of €525 million for the purchase of 18 Leopard 2A8 tanks, which will replace the same number of main battle tanks that were supplied to Ukraine as part of military aid.

Flashback

The Leopard 2A8 is a modern German main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW). It is the successor to the Leopard 2A7 and is presented as the most technologically advanced version of this series. The tank is equipped with a new active protection system, improved armour and modern fire control systems. It has a powerful 120 mm smoothbore gun and is capable of engaging targets at long distances. The Leopard 2A8 is also equipped with modern communication and navigation systems, which ensures high combat effectiveness.

Source: Hartpunkt