Germany is progressing towards the development of a new main battle tank, tentatively named Leopard 3. A contract has been awarded for technical studies on 130mm ammunition, a powerplant, protection systems, and other equipment. These systems are intended for use in an interim tank that will be utilized by the German military until a new Franco-German main battle tank is ready. The new tank may incorporate some of the same equipment currently under study.
The technical studies, published by the German Armed Forces procurement office on the TED platform, cover three main areas: firepower, mobility, and protection. The new technologies are designed to be compatible with the existing Leopard 2 main battle tank, but if integrated into a single platform, they would result in a significantly different tank, likely designated as Leopard 3 or Leopard 2 AX.
Rheinmetall is conducting the study for 130mm ammunition, reflecting a shift towards larger-caliber tank armament. The company has been working on this new gun for some time, with a focus on increasing kinetic energy for better penetration power. The study covers three types of ammunition: DM13 qualification rounds, DM11 high-explosive rounds, and DM23 anti-armor rounds.
Liebherr is responsible for the study on a new engine called OLYMP, tailored for the interim Leopard 3 tank. The engine block includes various components such as the combustion engine, gearbox, cooling system, and exhaust system. The aim is to utilize existing Leopard 2 components wherever possible.
Hensoldt and KNDS Deutschland are tasked with studying enhanced protection systems for the Leopard 3. This involves developing a more advanced version of the Multifunctional Self-Protection System, capable of countering various threats in semi- or fully autonomous modes. Additionally, the studies call for a new automated field adjustment system to improve the main gun’s accuracy.
The interim Leopard 3 tank is expected to be in service by the 2030s, providing enhanced capabilities compared to the Leopard 2A8. Final specifications will be determined after the completion of the technical studies in 2026. The new tank will bridge the gap until the introduction of the all-new main battle tank under the Franco-German MGCS project.