Leopard 2 Tanks Get New Armor to Counter Drones and Missiles

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Key Points: Germany’s Leopard 2 tanks are receiving critical upgrades to address modern battlefield threats, particularly from kamikaze drones and anti-tank missiles.

-In collaboration with Israel, Germany is equipping its tanks with the Trophy Active Protection System, which intercepts incoming projectiles and provides enhanced defense against top-down attacks.

-First implemented in Israeli vehicles, the Trophy System has been tested on the Leopard 2 since 2021.

-This addition marks a significant improvement in survivability for one of Europe’s premier tanks, showcasing NATO’s response to lessons learned from Ukraine’s conflict.

Germans Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks Get Much Needed Armor Upgrade

Like all NATO countries, Germany is concerned about a potential land war that could happen between the alliance and Russia. 

The German military is monitoring developments in armored combat and analyzing lessons learned in Ukraine that could help Berlin maintain its forces at the highest level of readiness while aiming to achieve peace through strength. 

This means that the Germans are drawing specific conclusions about tank warfare in Ukraine. They have determined that tanks are in danger from kamikaze drones and anti-tank missiles. Answers to these threats are needed.

Trophy Active Protection System Is Fitted on First Leopard 2 Tank

That’s why the Bundeswehr is now outfitting older Leopard 2 tanks with new armor in a partnership with Israel. The Leopard 2 will receive a badly needed upgrade from the Trophy Active Protection System. The Trophy System has been outfitted on Israeli tanks for more than 13 years, and the Germans are excited to receive the same technology on their tanks.

In a ceremony on October 30 with the Israeli and German ministries of defense, the joint announcement lauded the first upgrades that will help Leopard 2s become better protected in combat.

German and Israeli Partnership  

“The advancement achieved by our industries in cooperation with our German friends and partners will further strengthen the capabilities of both our defense establishments. We will continue to work at the forefront of tech capabilities, prepare for every operational scenario, and deepen our relations with partners around the world,” Israel’s then-Defense Minister Benny Gantz said earlier when Germany and Israel first started discussing a partnership that started in 2020.

Active Armor Is Not Just for Tanks

Germany began conducting live fire exercises with Leopard 2 tanks equipped with the Trophy Active Protection System in 2021. The Trophy System, developed by Rafael in Israel, has been in use in that country since 2011. It can be fitted to tanks such as Israel’s Merkava main battle tank, armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles.

Rafael claims that the Trophy System has been used by over 2,000 vehicles worldwide on 17 different platforms. 

What Is the Trophy System?

Defense News described the Trophy System in the following manner. “Trophy is a defensive system equipped with so-called soft defense measures, such as electronic warfare, and an active defense system that includes physical interceptors destroying incoming projectiles before impact with a vehicle’s body. It consists of several sensors and a radar with four antenna panels mounted around the vehicle. The interception process engages only if the system detects that a threat will damage the vehicle.”

Fix the Danger from Above

Now you know why Germany is excited to add the Trophy System to their tanks. Rafael has also introduced an improvement to Trophy that will give more defensive capabilities to the top of the turret on tanks and other armored vehicles. 

This is important because, on the battlefields of Ukraine, drones and anti-tank missiles arc upward and then scream downward toward the top of the tank, where armor is weakest.

Specs on the Leopard 2

Leopard 2s have a diesel engine that produces 1,500 horsepower. Their top speed on roads is 44 miles per hour. Leopard 2s have been updated several times during their service life, and now the Trophy System is going to make them even better. Rheinmetall has installed a best-of-class 120mm smoothbore gun (caliber length 44) with an advanced fire control system. The Leopard 2 is one of the best tanks in Europe.

With Germany as a customer, Israel and Rafael can look for more NATO countries willing to outfit their tanks and armored vehicles with the Trophy System. Allies are learning lessons from Ukraine and taking them to heart. It is like halftime during a football or soccer game, and the opposing coaches need to make adjustments. 

How will tank warfare continue to evolve in Ukraine? What other changes must be made to armored vehicles to improve situational awareness, firepower, mobility, speed, and survivability? The Trophy System is a step in the right direction, and the Germans will be highly satisfied that their tanks can prosper on the 21st-century battlefield despite the disadvantages that armored vehicles have in modern combat. 

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood 

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare, plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.