EUROSATORY 24: The new Leo by KNDS

At EUROSATORY 2024, the German-French consortium will present a series of important innovations for land warfare in the coming years: including the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0.

In addition to the latest evolutionary stages of the existing battle tank generations - Leopard 2 A8 and Leclerc XLR - visitors can expect a milestone in the history of battle tank development with the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 and Leclerc Evolution. The Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 features an unmanned remote-controlled turret. The main weapon is loaded using a modular automatic linear loader, with calibers between 120 and 140 mm. Its innovative weapon mounting prevents the weapon from dipping into the hull, leading to fundamentally new use of space in the hull. The three to four-member crew can now be fully accommodated in the hull in a particularly protected crew cell. The ballistic protection is supplemented by a proven active protection system and a remote weapon station for defense against drone threats.

The firepower of the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 is complemented by a guided missile system that can engage targets beyond line of sight even while on the move. The remote-controlled 30mm weapon system completes the threat-adapted weapon mix with its ability to engage threats from close range and from the air. The design of the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 significantly enhances crew protection by using passive, reactive, and active protection technologies, increasing robustness while significantly enhancing the mobility and enforceability of the entire system.

KNDS evaluates the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 not only as a bridging solution until the introduction of the next-generation land combat system MGCS, but also as a crucial technological precursor to the MGCS. Despite its groundbreaking innovations, the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 is fully backward compatible.

All currently deployed Leopard 2 variants can be upgraded to the equipment level of the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0. The modular approach allows for solutions tailored to the individual needs of the customer.

With ASCALON©, KNDS has developed a main gun for battle tanks that is more powerful than any comparable smoothbore weapon. It can fire compact and programmable ammunition beyond line of sight with minimal wear. Due to its scalability, ASCALON© can be equipped with any barrel from 120 to 140 mm. The innovative concept offers significant growth potential and a level of performance that current technologies do not provide. KNDS has designed ASCALON© with an open architecture that is intended as the basis for the collaborative development of a combat weapons platform under the MGCS program, laying the foundation for the future standard of European tank cannons and ammunition.

The Leclerc Evolution exhibited at Eurosatory is equipped with a manned turret that accommodates a 120mm ASCALON© cannon, which can easily be upgraded to a larger caliber up to 140mm. With the Leclerc Evolution, a new concept with four crew members is introduced, adapted to the latest tactical situations. The Leclerc Evolution features a crew station integrated into the chassis for the deputy commander to control an extensive sensor and effector system. In anticipation of the MGCS, KNDS also presents the EMBT with the ASCALON© demonstration turret ADT 140, a remote-controlled turret equipped with a 140mm ASCALON© cannon.

KNDS currently has around 800 weapon systems in frontline use in Ukraine or under contract for delivery to Ukraine. The company is therefore one of the world's most important industrial supporters of Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression. KNDS' presence at Eurosatory 2024 also includes battle-proven systems such as the CAESAR artillery system, which is being presented for the first time in its Mk II version with a more powerful engine, improved protection, and a SCORPION-compatible cabin. The KNDS portfolio exhibited on 3,600 square meters of exhibition space is rounded off by vehicles covering the entire range of applications from wheeled to tracked, medium-caliber guns and weapon systems, ammunition, innovative robotics, combat drones from the LARINAE and COLIBRI programs, and the full range of associated services.

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