Tank maker KNDS has 350 orders so far for new Leopard 2 model

The Franco-German armaments group KNDS has received 350 orders from five countries for the latest version of the Leopard 2 battle tank, a company spokesman told dpa.

Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Lithuania and the Czech Republic have placed orders for the latest upgrade of the Leopard 2, originally introduced in 1979.

The German military, the Bundeswehr, has so far ordered 123 Leopard 2 A8 tanks. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced during the tank's first public presentation that Berlin intends to seek approval for a further 75 units.

KNDS Germany said it is also in talks with additional customers.

The new A8 variant is equipped, among other features, with a protection system from Israeli manufacturer Rafael that is designed to intercept incoming projectiles and drones before impact.

KNDS has not disclosed contract values or delivery timelines, but current orders already amount to several billion euros and will keep production running for years.

A single Leopard 2 costs well into the tens of millions of euros, with additional expenses for maintenance and servicing.

The German government expects to spend more than €3.4 billion ($3.9 billion) on the 123 Leopard 2 A8 tanks already ordered.

According to KNDS, around 3,300 Leopard 2 tanks delivered over past decades remain in active service with the armed forces of 23 countries.