2025 land market review: British Army woes, European heavy armour and US MBT progress
The Leopard 2A8, by far the most popular tank in Europe in 2025. (Photo: KNDS)
The last year has seen several major procurements in the land market. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill reviews the main trends and themes in land procurement of 2025.
The land domain has experienced some significant changes over the past 12 months. The main focus across NATO and its allies has been on heavy armour, with hundreds of new main battle tanks (MBTs), infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) being acquired.
One of the more notable shifts is that it has not been a good year for the British Army. Its long-running Land Mobility Programme (LMP) has continued rolling on without a destination in sight. It was expected that this year would yield firm criteria for each subcategory and a contract award for the Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV)
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)]()
Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)
A surge in aerial threats – from advanced missiles to low-cost drones – is reshaping the way militaries approach air defence, driving demand for flexible, multi-layered solutions.
-
![UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3]()
UK agrees parallel development and production process for British Army Challenger 3
In a bid to accelerate delivery of the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank, which has just carried out its first crewed firings with the latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, the UK has opted for an unconventional approach.
