LEOPARD 2 Production with New Plant

An assembly plant for the production of up to 41 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks will be built in Kaunas, Lithuania. A corresponding contract was signed between the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense and KNDS Deutschland (KNDS), the manufacturer of the LEOPARD main battle tank.

Lithuania Defense Services (LDS)* will be subcontracted by KNDS for the project's implementation.

Furthermore, an agreement was signed guaranteeing the availability of the LEOPARD 2 A8. This includes the training of skilled personnel for both manufacturing and maintenance work, as well as logistical support for the systems over a period of five years, starting after the delivery of the first system. "This contract is a clear indication that we are able to quickly and easily adapt the production of our products to the challenges facing Europe at this time. This project, in particular, perfectly embodies the spirit of close European cooperation in the field of land systems, as the contract for the LEOPARD 2 A8 systems was concluded under the framework agreement established by the German Federal Government and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support," says Ralf Ketzel, CEO of KNDS Germany.

This followed Lithuania's decision in December 2024 to procure 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks under the Common Procurement Agreement (CPA). Lithuania was the first country to join the CPA procurement program.

The LEOPARD 2 A8 tanks will be delivered to the Lithuanian Army between 2028 and 2030.