Germany KNDS
Leopard 2A8
The newest production standard of KNDS's Leopard 2 and the first all-new-build Leopard 2 since 1992, unveiled in November 2025. The 2A8 keeps the proven L/55A1 120mm smoothbore and the 2A7's mobility package but integrates the Trophy hard-kill active protection system as standard (four radar arrays and two launchers for 360-degree coverage against anti-tank missiles and rockets) along with upgraded electronics and drone-defence provisions. KNDS reported roughly 350 orders across five NATO nations before the public unveiling, including Germany (123 tanks, deliveries 2027-2030), Lithuania (44) and the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Norway.
In service since 2025 · 5 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-16
68
km/h
450
km range
120
mm gun
70,000
kg
Pricing: ~350 ordered across five NATO nations (Germany, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Norway) as of late 2025
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
German export-licensed
BAFA licensing with strict end-use review; approvals can be politically constrained.
Channel: Direct commercial / G2G
Fielded & proven
Established · 5 operators
In service since 2025. Status: active · ~350 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 68 km/h |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 450 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Main armament Primary weapon: main gun, cannon or missile type. | 120 mm Rheinmetall L/55A1 smoothbore |
|---|---|
| Secondary armament Additional weapons: coaxial MG, remote weapon station, gun pods. | 2x 7.62 mm machine guns |
| Caliber Bore diameter of the main gun or rifle. Larger throws heavier projectiles; not simply better, ammunition commonality matters. | 120 mm |
| Ammunition Rounds carried (main gun) or standard magazine capacity. | 42 |
Protection
Armor, countermeasures and survivability.
| Armor Armor technology: composite, modular, ERA-fitted, uranium-ceramic. Exact compositions are classified. | Composite armor with modular add-on packages |
|---|---|
| Active protection Hard-kill APS (Trophy, Arena, Afganit) intercepts incoming projectiles before impact. | Trophy (standard) |
| NBC protection Sealed crew compartment with overpressure filtration for nuclear/biological/chemical environments. | Yes |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 70,000 kg |
|---|---|
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 4 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | MTU MB 873 Ka-501 V12 twin-turbo diesel |
|---|---|
| Engine power Engine output power. Higher moves more weight faster. | 1,500 hp |
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Diesel |
Munition
Round type, penetration, velocity and projectile data.
| Caliber Bore diameter the round is fired from. | 120 mm |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 350 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 5 |
Specifications compiled from public KNDS and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-16.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Hyundai Rotem K2 Black Panther 
KNDS Leclerc XLR Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of the KNDS Leopard 2A8? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8 has a maximum speed of 68 km/h.
What is the range of the KNDS Leopard 2A8? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8 has a maximum range of 450 km.
How much does the KNDS Leopard 2A8 weigh? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8 has a combat weight of 70,000 kg.
How many crew does the KNDS Leopard 2A8 require? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8 requires a crew of 4.
What is the main armament of the KNDS Leopard 2A8? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8's primary weapon is the 120 mm Rheinmetall L/55A1 smoothbore.
What engine does the KNDS Leopard 2A8 use? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8 is powered by the MTU MB 873 Ka-501 V12 twin-turbo diesel.
What is the KNDS Leopard 2A8 used for? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8 is a main battle tank typically used for anti armor, infantry combat.
How many countries operate the KNDS Leopard 2A8? +
The KNDS Leopard 2A8 is operated by 5 countries.
How much does the KNDS Leopard 2A8 cost? +
KNDS Leopard 2A8: ~350 ordered across five NATO nations (Germany, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Norway) as of late 2025. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
Similar systems
KNDS
Leopard 2A7
KNDS
Leopard 1A5
KNDS
Leopard 2A4
KNDS