Rheinmetall completes qualification rounds for new kinetic tank ammo
Rheinmetall has produced qualification samples of the armour-piercing 120mm KE202Neo ammunition to counter modern protection technologies. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
The company was commissioned to provide qualification samples of the new ammunition to the German Defence Forces and the British Army.
Rheinmetall has completed the development of its latest update of enhanced armour-piercing 120mm enhanced kinetic energy (EKE) ammunition. It had been commissioned by the German Defence Forces and British Army to produce qualification samples, following a contract signed in September 2020 by the Federal Office for the Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw).
The KE2020Neo x 570mm round is a new armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) ammunition design, which incorporates a high-strength tungsten penetrator, designed to penetrate the latest protection technologies.
The qualification of this KE2020Neo ammunition also represents part of a wider collaboration between Rheinmetall, Germany and the UK as they work on modernisation and standardisation of tank ammunition across NATO forces.
The 120mm EKE will reportedly be used in the Challenger 3 main battle tank, and supports its modernisation programme, which is currently getting ready to enter service in 2025.
Rheinmetall’s current EKE ammunition also use high-strength tungsten penetrators. The DM63 is used in the REACh-compliant A1 version. The enhanced DM73 is the most advanced iteration, which was introduced in the German Defence Forces for use with the L55A1 smoothbore gun. Its other 120mm smoothbore technology includes the Rh120 – used in the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams main battle tanks.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities]()
US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities
The branch plans to speed up the building and procurement of kinetic and non-kinetic systems for fixed, semi-fixed and on-the-move operations.
-
![Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role]()
Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role
Wheeled vehicles ranging in size from 4×4 to 8×8 provide high-speed at a good level of mobility compared to tracked. However, tracked can be larger and have a higher level of mobility in marginal terrain with a smaller turning circle. What are the possibilities for a 10×10?
-
![Borsuk IFV programme marks turning point for Poland’s armoured modernisation]()
Borsuk IFV programme marks turning point for Poland’s armoured modernisation
The Borsuk vehicles are to replace the Soviet-designed BMP-1 as the Polish military’s main tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
-
![DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract]()
DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.
-
![US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers]()
US Army modernisation plans raise big concerns for lawmakers
The termination of programmes such as JLTV and RCV has been harshly criticised by members of the US Congress.
