KMW could lose out on Saudi tank deal
German tank manufacturer, Krauss Maffei Wegman, could lose out on a €5 billion deal to provide 270 Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks (MBT) to Saudi Arabia, it has emerged.
According to a report in the German newspaper Handelsblatt, the Saudis have found a new partner in General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), the US defence manufacturer, which would instead deliver a variant of the Abrams M1 MBT.
KMW were unwilling to comment on the reports.
The export of MBTs to Saudi Arabia is controversial in Germany, which has a policy of not exporting military equipment to conflict zones.
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand]()
DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand
DroneShield has been at the forefront of CUAS capability despite being founded only 12 years ago. The company’s early move into the counter-drone arena has put it on the crest of the rapidly expanding technology field.
-
![June land forces roundup: Eurosatory shapes month amid Canada’s HIMARS buy and US JLTV progress]()
June land forces roundup: Eurosatory shapes month amid Canada’s HIMARS buy and US JLTV progress
This month’s land forces highlights were dominated by the eventful Eurosatory exhibition, particularly in the area of tanks, while separately the JLTV programme took another twist and Canada opted for HIMARS.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction]()
Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction
Uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems were a major feature of this edition of Eurosatory 2026 along with programme updates and first sight of new main battle tanks.
