The German concern for the production of military equipment and weapons Rheinmetall presented a tank at the Eurosatory-2022 exhibition
What is known
The new product was called Panther Kettenfahrzeug 51 orAbbreviated as Panther KF51. The tank is the successor to the Leopard 2. It is made on the same chassis and weighs 59 tons. The combat vehicle was equipped with a 130-mm cannon, which, according to the manufacturer, is 50% more effective than the current 120-mm cannon. It also boasts an increased firing range and the ability to fire programmed projectiles. The automatic loader holds up to 20 ammunition. The new gun is complemented by a 12.7 mm machine gun.
As for the sight, it has SEOSS optics with360 degree viewing angle. The Panther KF51 can also be equipped with the kamikaze drone HERO 120, which is manufactured by UVision. Among the interesting things about the new product, it is also worth noting the many protection systems and support for artificial intelligence. The tank plans to release in two versions: one will be controlled by a crew of 3 people, and the second will be completely autonomous. That is, the tank can be controlled remotely. Panther KF51 will be able to reach speeds of up to 65 km/h. The maximum power reserve of the new product will be 500 km.
When to expect
There are no exact delivery dates for the Panther KF51 yet, but it is rumored that the new product is part of the German-French MGCS program to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks. It is planned to be launched in 2035.
Source: Rheinmetall