Sweden Bolsters Defense with 44 Cutting-Edge Leopard 2A8 Tanks from KNDS Deutschland
Sweden has appointed KNDS Germany to supply a total of 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 main combat tanks to the military. Moreover, the enhancement of the LEOPARD 2 fleet has now been broadened to encompass all 110 Swedish units.
Relevant agreements were formalized with the procurement agency (FMV) in Munich in two phases.
The initial agreement signed on November 6, 2024, initially encompassed 24 main battle tank units. Concurrently, discussions were already in progress to initiate the second batch for 20 additional LEOPARD 2 A8s. This agreement was finalized on December 19, 2024.
Sweden, which had previously supplied ten of its LEOPARD 2 units to Ukraine, is substituting these with 24 LEOPARD 2 A8. The delivery of the newly manufactured LEOPARD 2 A8, designated STRV 123 B in Sweden, is anticipated to commence in the latter half of 2027.
The enhancement of 66 LEOPARD 2 tanks, along with the 44 units already contracted, includes an elevated level of protection, a new armament system, innovative driving and operational concepts, an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit), and additional digital transformation initiatives.
The upgrade operations are projected to commence in 2028, following the conclusion of the initial modernization agreement.
