The Defence Materiel Administration signed a contract with the German-French manufacturer KNDS just before Christmas to purchase 44 new battle tanks of the type Leopard 2 A8, in Swedish Stridsvagn 123.
The deliveries will take place from 2028 to 2031.
The contract also includes the modernization of 66 of the Defence Forces' existing Leopard battle tanks, purchased at the beginning of the 2000s. The total value of the orders is approximately 17 billion kronor, according to the government. The modernization of 44 battle tanks has already begun.
"We will receive 154 modern battle tanks and renovated combat vehicles with these orders, which will strengthen our defence capability. It's about equipping the mechanized brigades and the Gotland battle group with new and renovated materiel for the future," says Defence Minister Pål Jonson (M) in a press release.
In addition, the Defence Forces will renovate the existing fleet of Stridsfordon 90. This is estimated to cost approximately five billion kronor and is expected to be completed by 2030.
