The iconic Leopard main battle tank, designed by Porsche and initially powered by Porsche engines, has been a cornerstone of military forces worldwide since its introduction in 1965. Despite its age, the Leopard remains a formidable weapon, serving in countries like Germany, Brazil, Greece, Turkey, and more recently Ukraine.
However, the aging MB838 engine that powers most Leopard tanks is no longer in production, posing a significant challenge to its continued operation. This obsolescence of the MB838 engine has led to a pressing need for a replacement powerplant to ensure the Leopard’s continued relevance and effectiveness on the modern battlefield.
While some militaries might consider replacing the entire tank, the high cost and logistical challenges associated with such a decision make it impractical for many. As a result, the focus has shifted towards finding a suitable replacement engine that can be integrated into the existing Leopard platform.
Three companies, Rolls-Royce, Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG), and transmission specialist ZF, have joined forces to address this challenge. They are currently developing a new engine, the 8V199, which is part of the Series 199 engine family.
The 8V199 is designed to offer improved performance, efficiency, and reliability compared to the MB838. By equipping Leopard tanks with the 8V199 engine, militaries can extend the service life of their existing fleet and maintain their operational capabilities.
A new, more powerful engine is being developed for a range of German military vehicles. The engine is capable of producing 1,073 horsepower, which is 255 horsepower more than the current engine. It is also lighter, more fuel-efficient, and cheaper to buy and maintain.
The engine is already being used in some military vehicles, including the Boxer. It is now being considered for use in the Leopard 1 main battle tank and its support vehicles, such as the Wisent 1. Other potential vehicles include the Biber, Dachs, and Gepard.
The project is a collaboration between three companies: FFG, ZF, and Rheinmetall. FFG is working on a power pack suitable for the new engine, as well as the cooling system and interface adaptations. ZF is adapting the 4HP250 transmission.
The goal of the project is to create a plug and play solution that can be used in all of the vehicles mentioned above. There is no information available on when the engine will be ready for use or how many vehicles will receive it.
