Sweden Receives Its First Modernised Leopard 2: KNDS Delivers the Stridsvagn 123A
German armoured-vehicle maker KNDS Deutschland has delivered Sweden’s first modernised Leopard 2. According to Defence Industry Europe and The Defense Post, the tank — designated Stridsvagn 123A — was handed to Sweden’s Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) at the Munich factory.
| Tank | Stridsvagn 123A (modernised Leopard 2) |
| Maker | KNDS Deutschland |
| Recipient | Sweden’s FMV |
| Programme | REMO (renovation and modernisation) |
| Scope | 110 modernised + 44 new-build |
| Completion | 2030 |
The REMO Programme and Upgrades
Under REMO, 110 tanks from Sweden’s existing Stridsvagn 122 fleet are being modernised through component-level disassembly and reconstruction. Deliveries run at 22 per year between 2027 and 2031, with completion in 2030.
The package includes Rheinmetall’s longer-barrelled L55 A1 120 mm gun, a digital fire-control system, modern thermal sights and cameras, and digital subsystems for NATO interoperability. The driver gains a suspended harness improving mine protection, an auxiliary power unit cuts fuel use, and Sweden-specific solutions are removed for NATO compatibility.
110 Modernised, 44 New-Build
Alongside the 110 modernised tanks, Sweden ordered 44 new-build vehicles in the Leopard 2A8 configuration, designated Stridsvagn 123B and carrying the same modern standard. The two variants total 154 tanks and remain externally similar to the Strv 122.
KNDS Deutschland CEO Florian Hohenwarter said the Strv 123A is clearly one of the most modern main battle tanks and fully interoperable with all Leopard 2 systems. FMV tank-section head Niclas Lindberg compared the upgrade to turning a Volvo 240 into a Volvo XC60. The first vehicles are to be zeroed this autumn, with system handover after training.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Modernised | 110 (Strv 122 → 123A) |
| New-build | 44 (Leopard 2A8 → 123B) |
| Total | 154 |
| Main gun | Rheinmetall L55 A1 120 mm |
| Delivery rate | 22 per year (2027-2031) |
European Context
Sweden aligning its tank fleet to alliance standards after joining NATO is part of Baltic and Nordic security. Germany’s Leopard 2 ecosystem has become the de facto standard enabling common logistics and training across the continent; Sweden’s REMO programme deepens that integration.
Why It Matters for Turkey
While Sweden has Germany modernise its 30-year-old imported Leopards, Turkey is fielding a new-build, indigenous main battle tank — ALTAY. ALTAY is designed and produced at home with the indigenous BMC BATU powerpack and ASELSAN fire-control and sensor systems.
Sweden’s model rests on upgrading an existing foreign platform; Turkey’s approach delivers a national product from design to engine. That reduces supply-chain dependency, grants export freedom and secures sovereignty over critical technologies. Equipping ALTAY with an indigenous powerpack signals the maturity Turkey’s armoured-vehicle industry has reached.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Stridsvagn 123A?
Sweden’s Leopard 2-based Strv 122 tanks modernised under REMO, with a new L55 A1 gun, digital fire control and improved protection.
How many tanks are involved?
110 existing tanks modernised, plus 44 new-build Leopard 2A8 (Strv 123B). Total of 154.
When does it finish?
Deliveries at 22 per year from 2027-2031, completion in 2030.
Turkey’s equivalent?
The new-build indigenous ALTAY, with the BMC BATU engine and ASELSAN systems.
Bottom Line
Sweden’s first Stridsvagn 123A is the first tangible output of the REMO programme aligning its tank fleet to NATO standards. As Sweden modernises an imported platform, Turkey advances toward full indigenisation with the home-grown ALTAY, from design to engine.
Sources
- Defence Industry Europe — delivery and upgrade detail
- The Defense Post — programme and figures
