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Germany to Spend $4 Billion on New Tank Killer to Defeat Russian T-90M
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Germany plans to allocate €3.8 billion in 2026 for the purchase of a new wheeled tank destroyer, intended to counter advanced Russian systems such as the T-90M.
According to Defense Express on September 24, the exact platform has not been confirmed, and the definition of “tank destroyer” could apply to more than one type of vehicle currently under development.
One possibility is the Boxer MGS, a wheeled armored vehicle equipped with a John Cockerill Defense C3105 turret and a 105 mm cannon.
The vehicle is based on the widely used Boxer chassis, offering a degree of fleet standardization and a base protection level of STANAG 4569 Level 4, which can be further reinforced with additional modules.
The project was first presented in 2020 but has faced delays in moving toward serial production.
An alternative under consideration is the recently unveiled Fuchs JAGM, which integrates six naval MK 41 vertical launch systems capable of firing up to 24 AGM-179 JAGM or AGM-114L Hellfire Longbow missiles.
This concept effectively represents a wheeled, long-range anti-tank missile carrier. Defense Express noted that the system could engage targets at ranges of 8 to 16 kilometers, offering the ability to strike beyond the line of sight.
Like the Boxer, the Fuchs chassis is already in use across the German fleet and can be upgraded to the same STANAG 4569 protection standard.
Both approaches present trade-offs. Wheeled gun systems generally have lighter armor and limited mobility compared to tracked platforms, while missile carriers rely on expensive munitions, some costing more than $700,000 per round.
Defense Express also pointed out that the discussion could reflect a translation issue in procurement documents. Instead of a dedicated tank destroyer, Germany may ultimately be referring to the Piranha 6×6 platform, which is expected to serve as the basis for new reconnaissance vehicles known as Korsak.
These vehicles will carry 25 mm cannons and advanced sensor equipment as a replacement for the current Fennek fleet.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that Germany plans to build three Large Remote Missile Vessels (LRMV) by 2035 under its Kurs Marine strategy, with the unmanned ships expected to operate in the Atlantic and carry surface-to-air and strike missiles via Mk 41 vertical launch systems.
