Sweden has commissioned KNDS Germany to deliver a total of 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks to the army. In addition, the modernization of the LEOPARD 2 fleet has now been extended to include all 110 Swedish systems. Corresponding contracts were signed with the procurement office (FMV) in Munich in two stages.
The first contract signed on November 6, 2024, initially comprised twenty-four main battle tank systems. At the same time, negotiations were already underway to trigger the second lot for twenty additional LEOPARD 2 A8s. This contract was signed on December 19, 2024.
Sweden, which had delivered ten of its LEOPARD 2 systems to Ukraine, is replacing these with 24 LEOPARD 2 A8. Delivery of the newly manufactured LEOPARD 2 A8, which will be designated STRV 123 B in Sweden, is expected to begin in the second half of 2027.
The modernization of 66 LEOPARD 2, as well as the forty-four systems already under contract, includes a higher level of protection, a new weapon system, new driving and operator concepts, an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) and further digitalization measures. The upgrade work is expected to begin in 2028, after the completion of the first modernization contract.
Next Article
RTXs Raytheon awarded $333 million contract
