Originally posted on Army Recognition The Norwegian military procurement authority NDMA has tasked Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG (KMW) with supplying 54 of its latest Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks, designated Leopard 2A7NO. The delivery is planned for 2026 to 2028. The required agreements for this were signed in Munich on February 17, including an option for an additional 18 Leopard 2A7NO tanks.

KMW CEO Ralf Ketzel made the following statement upon finalizing the contract: “This signing is a powerful indication of European collaboration. It also highlights the tank’s performance and future potential, as well as its significance for joint defense efforts in Europe. KMW is appreciative of the trust. We eagerly anticipate the project and, as a result, long-term international industrial cooperation with the Norwegian industry.”

In fact, Army Recognition already published the news of this upcoming purchase on February 3, 2023, but the information is now official. Norway’s existing fleet of 52 Leopard 2A4s was obtained from the Netherlands in 2001 and has since been modified to meet Norwegian army requirements, which include new radios, ωeapon racks, and Battlefield Management Systems, resulting in their re-designation as Leopard 2A4NO. According to the Military Balance 2021, Norway’s army still possesses 36 operational Leopard 2A4s, with an additional 16 in storage. The remaining Leopard 2A4s are approaching the end of their technical and operational life. To ensure their serviceability until the new Leopard 2A7s arrive, procurement of critical components and spare parts will be executed.

The Leopard 2A7 is an upgraded version of the Leopard 2A6 main battle tank. The primary features of this new Leopard 2 tank upgrade encompass new armor, an energy system, a crew compartment cooling system, and a new ωeapon engagement system. Note that the Leopard 2A7 is fundamentally distinct from the KMW variant 2A7+ and is not optimized for combat in an urban setting.

The first Leopard 2A7 tanks were delivered to the German army in December 2014. A total of 14 vehicles were produced for Tank Battalion 203, with an additional 4 going to the Armoured Corps Training Centre and 1 vehicle at the Technical School for Land Systems and School for Technology of the Army.