In addition to the 44 German-made tanks headed to Lithuania, another batch of 44 Leopard 2A8 MBTs is being acquired by the Czech Republic.
Earlier this month, the Lithuanian government announced it would accelerate the acquisition of the German-made Leopard 2A8 main battle tank (MBT). The goal is to receive all of the 44 advanced variants of the widely adopted tank by 2030.
The acquisition will allow for the formation of a new division with an armored battalion in the Lithuanian Land Forces. Previously, the Baltic nation had only a minimal armored force.
“Collective defence is our essential pillar, and Lithuania’s main contribution to it is a mechanised division that meets NATO standards. Tanks are the main platform in this type of unit. Their integration into the forces is the most time-consuming; therefore any delay is not possible,” said Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.
Vilnius has pledged to increase its defense loan ceiling to acquire the modern MBTs, while the nation’s spending will reach about four percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of 2025. Lithuania has further pledged to raise its defense spending to 5.2 percent of its GDP in 2026.
The Leopard 2A8’s Specifications
- Year Introduced: Unveiled in 2023, Service Expected to Begin in 2027
- Number Built: Undisclosed
- Length: 9.97 m (32.7 ft)
- Total weight, battle-ready: Between 65 and 67 tonnes
- Suspensions: Reinforced torsion bar
- Engine: 1,500 hp diesel engine, potentially with improved cooling and upgraded for better performance.
- Armament: 120-mm smoothbore cannon, likely the L55 A1 version
- Top speed: Up to 65-70 kph (40-43 mph) on roads
- Range: Approximately 400-450 km (250-280 mi) without refueling
- Crew: 4
About the Leopard 2A8 Tank
The Leopard 2A8 is the latest variant of the German-made MBT that first entered service in October 1979. Produced by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and based on the Leopard 2A7+, the new model is outfitted with several notable improvements, including the “Trophy” Active Protection System and a better all-around (360-degree) awareness system. The upgraded variant features the newest generation of passive multi-layer composite modular armor, comprising steel, tungsten, composite filler, and even ceramics.
The 28A model is fitted with a three-man turret that houses the main 120mm L55 smoothbore gun produced by Rheinmetall AG. This is an upgraded version of the L44 gun installed on previous models of the Leopard 2. The L55 is reported to be about 1.3 meters (4.2 feet) longer, which gives it higher muzzle velocities, and it has greater accuracy, range, and penetration. The improved gun can fire a variety of ordnance, including APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot), HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank), and multipurpose ammunition.
The overall layout of the modernized tanks is similar to other models. It is powered by an upgraded 1,600 hp engine that allows the Leopard 2A8 to reach speeds over 70 kilometers per hour (44 miles per hour).
A German Tank Force Is Also Present in Lithuania
A fleet of 44 MBTs, even as capable as the Leopard 2A8, is not likely to be enough to stop a full-fledged Russian invasion. To further protect NATO’s eastern flank in the Baltics, the German military has begun to deploy a 5,000-strong armored brigade in Lithuania—equipped with 105 additional Leopard 2A8s.
Berlin’s deployment marks the first permanent deployment of German military personnel on foreign soil since the end of World War II. The deployment comes as part of Germany’s refocus on national defense, driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and more recently by concerns about the United States’ reliability as a security guarantor in the event of a Russian war with NATO.
The Bundeswehr has said the 45th Armored Brigade would be fully operational and war-ready by 2027.
More Leopard 2A8s Are Going to Central Europe, Too
In addition to the 44 German-made tanks headed to Lithuania, another batch of 44 Leopard 2A8 MBTs is being acquired by the Czech Republic. The central European NATO member announced that it approved the purchase of the tanks as part of a 32.76-billion Czech koruna ($1.56-billion) deal. A separate 1.49-billion-koruna ($71-million) contract will address any maintenance and support for the tanks.
Prague further indicated that an additional 14 tanks could increase the order of record. According to a report from The Defense Post, the Czech Republic “will receive between 61and 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks in six variants,” 19 of which will include “engineering, recovery, bridge, and driver training” models.
The Czech military has been replacing the last of its Soviet-era tanks, which have been provided as aid to Ukraine, while it has modernized its armored force. A total of 86 T-72M1 MBTs were previously supplied to Kyiv.
“Tanks continue to have their unquestionable place on the modern battlefield and are an essential part of the modern army,” said Chief of the General Staff of the Military of the Czech Republic Karel Řehka. “The quality of the Leopard 2A8 tank — from firepower to crew protection to technological sophistication — will ensure that the Czech Army will receive a top-notch tool for national defense.”
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
