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Leopard 2 main battle tank: One year in advance
Photo: Daniel Karmann / dpa
According to the tank builder Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), there is nothing standing in the way of a significant increase in production from an industrial point of view.
His company is constantly asking all subcontractors what production rates are possible, said KMW boss Ralf Ketzel in Berlin.
"So far, no one has given us a signal like 'that's impossible'," he said.
»What we need for this is a clear political consensus.«
Almost a year after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the capacities and capabilities of Western armaments companies will also be a topic at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) for the foreseeable future until Sunday.
Meanwhile, criticism from the German armaments industry is becoming ever clearer that, despite all the political declarations, hardly any orders have been received so far.
KMW is a manufacturer of weapon systems such as the Leopard 2 battle tank and the Panzerhaubitze 2000. With more than 4000 employees, the company describes itself as the market leader for heavily armored wheeled and tracked vehicles in Europe.
500 to 600 tanks in the pipeline
During the Cold War, KMW had produced about 300 Leopard tanks a year, which is about one per working day.
After that, the business model changed.
Most recently, there was a new build program in the order of 50 Leopard tanks per year.
There is also an upgrade program in which 60 or 70 vehicles per year are brought up to date.
About 50 other vehicles come for repairs, i.e. for repairs and maintenance.
According to figures that were collected in Europe before the Ukraine war and with the replacement of the vehicles that have now been handed over, production will reach 500 to 600 Leopard 2, according to the KMW boss.
If this is not required in an extremely short period of time, it is possible with the current infrastructure in Europe and with the current production lines.
»We have a lead time of one year before assembly and integration begin.
This means that the large sub-suppliers who produce motors, optronics, electronics or special optics are called upon immediately,” said Ketzel.
“Some have no problem with it at all because they already have a larger production line for many systems.
Sometimes, however, even small issues trigger headaches.
It could be a chip, for example.«
He estimates one to two years for the start-up of a co-production – whether as an additional production line abroad or in Germany.
However, the subcontractors also needed a lead time.
However, the federal government and the procurement department of the Bundeswehr have still not placed an order for the large weapon systems, even a year after Russia's attack on Ukraine.
When asked whether the starting signal has already been given for ramping up production, Ketzel replies: »No.
We are in talks with the (procurement office) BAAINBw for many contracts.
From our point of view, they are on the right track.
But we're not talking about three-digit numbers.«
A clear political consensus as a basis for decision-making could also be a “certain target configuration”, which should be achieved in four years.
“A prominent example is the Puma infantry fighting vehicle: there was a clear statement that a division would be needed in 2027.
That's why we invested.
The British are a good example.
They say they want 500 Boxer wheeled armored vehicles for ten years.
It is working."
Ketzel emphasizes that KMW - unlike automobile manufacturers or computer manufacturers - does not operate freely on the market.
“Everything is subject to the War Weapons Control Act.
That is put simply.
First of all, the manufacture of war weapons is forbidden, and then there are exemptions.
If we want to start manufacturing a weapon of war, we need a permit,” he says.
“That's German law and it won't change.
That's reasonable too.
We are a regulated industry.«
mik/dpa-AFX
