Sweden has contracted Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to upgrade 44 Leopard 2 tanks of the Swedish Armed Forces.
The 3.5-billion Swedish kronor ($316 million) upgrade includes replacing the tank’s electronic components, installing new night sights, and a dark driving camera.
The tank’s 120mm Rh 120 L44 gun will be replaced with a longer-barrelled L55 cannon capable of firing programmable ammunition, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) stated.
Additional upgrades include new tracks and improvements to the chassis.
To Extend Lifetime Into 2030s
“Tanks will be the backbone of the army’s brigades for a long time to come, that is a conclusion we can draw from the ongoing war in Ukraine,” said FMV operational area army materiel chief Jonas Lotsne.
“The order we are now placing with KMW means a considerable modernization of our tank fleet and extends the life of the tanks at least into the 2030s.”
“It will bring the tank on par with “other modern Leopard 2s,” FMV added.
Deliveries are expected to commence from 2026 and the upgraded tank will be called the 123A.