The joint effort aims to combine strengths for a Leopard 2E (pictured) modernisation plan. Credit: Contando Estrelas/Flickr (Creative Commons)

General Dynamics European Land Systems – Santa Bárbara Sistemas (GDELS-SBS) and KNDS Deutschland have formalised a partnership aiming to upgrade the Leopard 2E main battle tank fleet of the Spanish Army.  

KNDS Deutschland, the original equipment manufacturer and design authority of the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank, and GDELS-SBS, a Spanish system house for tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles, are combining their technological and industrial expertise to deliver a comprehensive modernisation of the Leopard 2E for the Spanish Army.  

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This collaboration ensures continued interoperability with other key European Leopard 2 user nations and allies. 

The agreement, which bolsters the relationship between both companies in the original Leopard 2E production programme for the Spanish Armed Forces, was signed at the end of 2024. 

The Leopard 2, developed by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann of Munich, Germany, is a successor to the Leopard 1, which was first produced in 1963 for the German Ministry of Defence. 

Additionally, KNDS and GDELS, in collaboration with Israeli company Rafael, formed a structured partnership as founding members of EuroTrophy, a Germany-based joint venture dedicated to producing advanced and battle-proven active protection system for military vehicles. 

The Trophy APS has been adopted as part of the new standard configuration for the German Army’s Leopard 2 A8, stated GDELS. 

In its press release, GDELS-SBS stated: “With these steps, GDELS-SBS is prepared to assume again a key role in a future Leopard 2E upgrade program of the Spanish Army.” 

GDELS has manufactured more than 200 120mm gun barrels for the Spanish Army’s Leopard 2E tanks as stated in a release last year.  

This latest development follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed to advance the Spanish Leopard 2E combat system.  

The MoU, involving Indra and Rheinmetall Electronics, focuses on integrating new technologies that align with future command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence solutions for combat platforms.