Approval for Leopard 3: KNDS and Rheinmetall develop new battle tank

Leopard 3 on the Rise Rheinmetall and KNDS are Allowed to Develop a new Battle Tank

2025-12-17 Source: dpa | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

The Federal Cartel Office has permitted the two defense companies KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall to jointly develop the new battle tank, sometimes referred to as Leopard 3.

Green light for the new battle tank of the Bundeswehr. KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall have received the official approval from the authorities. The new combat system is unofficially referred to as Leopard 3 but is only an interim solution. Read more about it here ...(Image: Blazer) — Green light for the new battle tank of the Bundeswehr. KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall have received the official approval from the authorities. The new combat system is unofficially referred to as Leopard 3 but is only an interim solution. Read more about it here ...
(Image: Blazer)

The tank project by Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland, unofficially referred to as Leopard 3 by the military press, which has now been approved, is intended only as an interim solution until 2045. The permit from the authority is also based on the fact that neither company is capable of meeting the requirements alone. Therefore, no impairment of competition is expected. Regarding the year 2045, it is the current target date for the delivery of the first joint German-French tank, previously known by the acronym MGCS (Main Ground Combat System). However, waiting another 20 years seems too long for the German Armed Forces, which is why the interim solution is now being pursued. The Munich-based company KNDS Deutschland (formerly Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) and Rheinmetall have been cooperating for decades, as further information reveals.

Will the Leopard successor have the larger cannon on board?

KNDS recently introduced a new version of the Leopard 2, which has been in production since 1979. It is emphasized that around 400 orders from six countries have already been placed. Rheinmetall is involved in the Leopard 2, among other things, as a supplier of the 120-millimeter (approx. 5 inches) cannon and its ammunition. However, since the Düsseldorf (Germany) arms manufacturer is currently developing a cannon with a caliber 10 millimeters (approx. 0.4 inches) larger, speculation has arisen that this could be featured on the unofficial Leopard 3 in the future. Rheinmetall also has the KF51 Panther in its portfolio, several of which have been ordered by Italy. The name, incidentally, sparked somewhat ridiculous criticism, as one of the best German tanks of World War II was also called Panther. However, anyone with a little knowledge would know that back then there were also vehicles named Marder, Puma, Luchs, Elefant, and Bison, and even—though only on the drawing board—a Leopard, all of which can be found in the Bundeswehr without complaint.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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