main battle tanks – The Defense Post

May- 2026 -

6 May

KNDS, RITEK Open Leopard 2A8 Tank Factory in Norway

KNDS Deutschland and automotive servicing company RITEK have inaugurated a new manufacturing center for the Leopard 2A8 main battle tank in Levanger, Norway.

Apr- 2026 -

13 April

Asia Pacific

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

New Capability Allows Taiwan’s M60A3 Tanks to Handle Two Targets at Once

A new version of Taiwan’s legacy M60A3 Patton tank has recently come into view, featuring a digitalized fire-control system that allows simultaneous tracking and engagement of separate targets.

13 April

Europe

A Leclerc main battle tank. Photo: Headquarters Multinational Division South East: HQ MNDSE

Rojoef Manuel

France to Study Backup Tank Amid Leclerc Replacement Delays

France has proposed legislation to research a temporary main battle tank to replace its Leclerc fleet amid delays in the Main Ground Combat System program.

Mar- 2026 -

30 March

Asia Pacific

South Korean K2 Black Panther main battle tank kicking up dust during a high-speed field exercise, showcasing the platform's mobility and combat readiness

Ethan M. Encarnacion

South Korea Reimagines ‘K2’ Main Battle Tank for Middle Eastern Fronts

Hyundai Rotem is preparing to push its K2 main battle tank into the Middle East, unveiling a redesigned variant tailored to take on the region’s scorching hot weather and bypass export restrictions.

Jan- 2026 -

22 January

Americas

M1E3 Abrams main battle tank displayed indoors, showing its upgraded turret, long main gun, reinforced armor, and U.S. Army markings under exhibition lighting.

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Formula One-Style Cockpit Emerges as New Detail on Next-Gen M1E3 Abrams Tank

With the M1E3 Abrams beginning to take shape, details about the US Army’s next-gen main battle tank have also started to emerge, including a cockpit inspired by “Formula One.”

6 January

Europe

Soldiers stand and communicate beside a Leopard battle tank positioned on open terrain during daylight, with crew members visible on the turret and the main gun facing forward under a clear sky

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Leopards Out: Spain Bets on Indra for Futuristic Main Battle Tanks

The future of Spain’s armored forces may rest on a new mission given to Indra: developing a next-gen replacement for the country’s aging Leopard 2E main battle tanks.

Dec- 2025 -

22 December

Europe

Rojoef Manuel

Tatra to Assemble 150 Leopard 2A8 Hulls for KNDS

Czech defense contractor Tatra Defence has signed a deal to build 150 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks for KNDS Deutschland.

11 December

Europe

Manufacturer KNDS has ordered more than 300 mtu MB 873 engines from Rolls-Royce to power new Leopard 2 battle tanks. Mehr als 300 mtu-Motoren vom Typ MB 873 als Antrieb für neue Leopard-2-Kampfpanzer hat der Hersteller KNDS bei Rolls-Royce bestellt.

Rojoef Manuel

Rolls-Royce Lands 300+ Engine Order to Power New European Leopard 2 Fleets

KNDS has awarded Rolls-Royce a contract to supply mtu MB 873 Ka-501 engines for European Leopard 2 main battle tanks.

10 December

Americas

Republic of Korea Soldiers, display the K2 Black Panther during the 75th Republic of Korea Armed Forces parade, in Seoul, South Korea, on September 26, 2023. (Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Jason Palacios)

Rojoef Manuel

Peru Locks In Korean K2 Tanks, K808 Armored Vehicles in Landmark Latin America Buy

South Korea has signed a framework agreement with Peru to export K2 Black Panther main battle tanks and K808 White Tiger armored personnel carriers, a step that Seoul says could become its largest ground equipment sale in Latin America and the first deployment of the K2 in the region.

Nov- 2025 -

24 November

Europe