Advanced Panther tanks could be supplied to Ukraine
The demonstration Panther KF51 combines a chassis featuring Leopard 2 components with a new turret. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
The KF51 Panther was unveiled last year at Eurosatory in Paris and sports a 130mm main gun.
According to media reports, Rheinmetall is in discussions with Ukraine for the supply of its most modern main battle tank (MBT), the KF51 Panther.
In an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger disclosed the German armoured vehicle manufacturer could supply the tank to Ukraine.
The Rheinmetall boss also suggested that after the war is over, a facility for producing Panthers could be stood up in the country.
Ukraine is also interested in acquiring the company’s Lynx infantry fighting vehicle.
The German firm debuted the Panther last year at Eurosatory in Paris, with a demonstration vehicle on its stand.
Calling it ‘the first fully digitalised MBT concept’, the vehicle uses Leopard 2 components in its chassis but features a new turret.
Its primary armament is the Rheinmetall 130mm L/52 smoothbore gun, rebranded as the Future Gun System (FGS).
The FGS is fed from two bustle-mounted revolver-type magazines, each of which holds ten rounds of 130mm ammunition in two variants: Armour Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot and Air Burst Munition.
During a visit to Rheinmetall facilities in Germany ahead of the unveiling, Shephard observed a three-round burst in 16 seconds.
According to the German paper, Panther tanks could be delivered in 15 to 18 months.
More from Land Warfare
-
![BAE Systems tests rocket laser guidance kits for anti-drone role]()
BAE Systems tests rocket laser guidance kits for anti-drone role
BAE Systems' APKWS laser guidance kits have successfully undergone testing in a counter-UAS mission led by the US Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office.
-
![Hit to Kill UAV destroys other drones with kinetic energy]()
Hit to Kill UAV destroys other drones with kinetic energy
MBDA has partnered with Novadem to develop a new UAV designed to knock out hostile drones using kinetic energy as part of the Sky Warden counter-UAS system.
-
![UK inks agreement for Swedish Archer guns and buys Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles]()
UK inks agreement for Swedish Archer guns and buys Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles
The defence ministers of the UK and Sweden have signed a letter of intent for a contract to supply the British Army with 14 Archer self-propelled guns and announced a deal for Carl-Gustaf M4 recoilless rifles.
