Germany Debuts Leopard 2A8, First From-Scratch Bundeswehr Main Battle Tank Since 1992

The new Leopard 2A8 main battle tank, the first main battle tank for the Bundeswehr to be built from scratch since 1992, is being readied for trials in Germany as KNDS’s  latest reference configuration for the Leopard 2 family, according to Militarnyi on November 19, 2025.

In a press release, KNDS said “the German procurement authority introduced the Leopard 2 A8 configuration as it is a new production,” describing it as the new status that will govern future Leopard 2 deliveries.

The Leopard 2A8 is a new-generation German Leopard 2 main battle tank that combines enhanced armor and active protection with an improved 120 mm main gun, advanced fire-control and thermal imaging, and a fully digital architecture for networked battlefield operations.

It is also fitted with the EuroTrophy active protection system , derived from the Israeli Trophy APS, designed to defeat incoming anti-tank threats.

Its digital architecture includes an upgraded fire-control system, third-generation thermal sights for both commander and gunner, an integrated battlefield management system to support networked operations, and 360-degree camera coverage with sensor fusion to improve situational awareness.

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Mobility is provided by a 1,500 hp MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel engine, coupled to a Renk HSWL 354 automatic transmission.

The vehicle features torsion-bar suspension and hydraulic shock absorbers, resulting in a combat weight of approximately 70 tons and road speeds exceeding 60 km/h.

Earlier, it was reported that Germany launched a plan for up to 600 Leopard 2A8 tanks to become the core of its heavy tank fleet.

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