Austria to bolster defense with cutting-edge Leopard 2A8 tanks
Concrete details about the modernization of the Austrian armed forces have surfaced online, outlined in the negotiated coalition agreement between the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). Here's what the future Austrian government plans to procure.
Currently, Austria has been unable to form a government more than 130 days after the elections, as talks between the only possible coalition partners, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), are still ongoing.
According to the Exxtra24 portal, leaks from the coalition agreement indicate the purchase of 58 Leopard 2A8 tanks, which would significantly strengthen the Austrian armored forces. These forces currently consist of the Panzerbataillon 14 armored battalion stationed in Wels, which has 58 Leopard 2A4 tanks. These were purchased from the Netherlands in the 1990s and are scheduled for modernization.
Leopard 2A8 - the only choice for customers in this tank family
The source of cheap Leopard 2 tanks has essentially dried up, as everything available has gone to Ukraine or been allocated through the Ringtausch program. Now, the only option for acquiring additional units is to purchase brand new machines in the Leopard 2A8 version, with each unit estimated to cost 29 million euros (30 million dollars). This way, Austria will join the growing group order from Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Lithuania.
The Leopard 2A8 is the latest offering from the KNDS company, an evolution of the well-known NATO Leopard 2, which forms the mainstay of the armament in many European countries belonging to the North Atlantic Alliance. Although a more advanced version, Leopard-2 A-RC 3.0, was presented at the last Eurosatory fair, its commercial debut will take a bit more time. It is worth noting that this might still be faster than the MGCS program outcome, expected only in the 2040s.
Leopard 2A8 tanks - their key component comes from Israel
A key feature of the Leopard 2A8 is the advanced Israeli Trophy active protection system, also used in American M1A2 SEP V2/3 Abrams tanks. Integrating Trophy is crucial because tanks are best protected from the front, while their sides, top, and rear are most vulnerable to attack.
This system is invaluable in neutralizing anti-tank guided missiles, which target the more weakly protected parts of the vehicle. Its job is to destroy an incoming missile before it reaches the tank. Trophy achieves this by firing countermeasure projectiles with an explosively formed penetrator toward the object located by radar antennas mounted on the sides of the turret.
Despite the high effectiveness of this system, evident during battles in the Gaza Strip, the tank retains its traditional armor. This is essential for protection against kinetic penetrators fired from other tanks' guns. The A8 variant has additionally reinforced side armor, bringing its weight to nearly 154,000 pounds.
The change in weight has not significantly affected the mobility of the Leopard 2A8, as the engine was upgraded from 1,500 to 1,600 horsepower, allowing it to maintain good maneuverability on a modern battlefield.
