European defense firm KNDS has secured around 350 orders for its Leopard 2A8 main battle tank, with customers including the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Norway, and the Netherlands. Deliveries for Germany’s 123-tank order will begin in 2027, with an additional 75 planned. The first units will deploy to Lithuania, marking Germany’s first permanent tank presence abroad since World War II. The 2A8 maintains the Leopard 2’s standard weapons but adds enhanced survivability features—including the Trophy active protection system—improved blast resistance, and upgraded fire-control capabilities.
