DSEI 2025: Germany's FFG converts Leopard 1 tank into modern Condor infantry fighting vehicle.

German armored vehicle specialist FFG has taken a bold step into the future of battlefield mobility and modularity with the unveiling of the Condor at DSEI 2025 in London. This newly developed Infantry Fighting Vehicle is built on the proven Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank chassis, but with comprehensive upgrades that position it for a wide range of operational roles including air defense, infantry support, and mobile surveillance in high-threat environments.
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FFG's new Condor Infantry Fighting Vehicle, built on the Leopard 1 chassis, unveiled at DSEI 2025 in London, showcasing its upgraded 30mm unmanned turret and enhanced armor protection for next-generation battlefield operations. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The German-made FFG Condor IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) is more than a Leopard 1 tank upgrade. It represents a full combat system transformation where legacy hardware meets new-generation digital warfare. Designed for both high-intensity conflict and hybrid threat scenarios, the Condor leverages the structural resilience of the Leopard 1 platform while integrating advanced weaponry, protection systems, and a radically improved power pack to meet modern battlefield requirements.

At its core, the Condor features a newly engineered unmanned turret outfitted with a 30mm automatic cannon capable of firing a variety of ammunition types including High-Explosive (HE), Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS), and Programmable Airburst Munition (PABM). A dual-feed system in the turret enables seamless switching between ammunition types, enhancing tactical flexibility in dynamic threat environments. The turret also supports a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, smoke grenade launchers, and is designed to accommodate Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), further increasing its lethality.

The turret system offers elevation angles from -10 to +70 degrees, enabling engagement of both ground and aerial threats. A comprehensive gunshot detection system provides immediate situational alerts against enemy snipers, RPGs, and small or medium-caliber fire. Integrated multi-mission radar supports 360-degree situational awareness, giving the crew real-time tracking and targeting data essential for counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) operations.

The Condor’s protection package has been significantly upgraded. FFG has reinforced the Leopard 1 chassis with additional roof and side armor while integrating a new seating concept to improve crew survivability. The vehicle now features a digital mission environment, giving operators enhanced command and control functionality and sensor fusion for rapid decision-making under fire.

Mobility is at the heart of the Condor’s redesign. FFG developed a new-generation power pack centered around the 8V199TE23 diesel engine from Rolls-Royce Power Systems. This eight-cylinder unit delivers between 950 and 1,080 horsepower and is coupled with a reinforced ZF 4 HP 250 automatic transmission. A newly developed two-cycle cooling system completes the powertrain package, offering improved power-to-weight ratio, reduced fuel consumption, and lower thermal signature. Critically, the new power pack is approximately 300 kilograms lighter than the original Leopard 1 drive unit and is designed as a direct plug and play replacement, enabling seamless integration across existing Leopard 1 fleets.

This powertrain upgrade not only enhances acceleration, fuel efficiency, and service life but also simplifies logistics by enabling the Condor to use many existing Leopard 1 spare parts still in circulation worldwide. The result is a platform that is not only high-performing and mission adaptable but also cost effective to sustain.

In terms of mobility dimensions, the Condor measures 7.18 meters in length, 3.41 meters in width, and stands at 3.05 meters high. Despite its heavy armor and turret configuration, its combat weight remains under 40 tons, ensuring it maintains operational agility across diverse terrains and threat environments. The brake system is dual mode, and the vehicle supports both remote and unmanned operation modes depending on mission profile.

FFG’s design philosophy for the Condor emphasizes modularity and rapid role switching. The vehicle is capable of transitioning from an air defense platform to a fully armed Infantry Fighting Vehicle in seconds, depending on the payload and turret configuration. This modular approach gives commanders the ability to reconfigure assets in the field depending on evolving mission requirements.

With its unveiling at DSEI 2025, FFG has placed itself at the forefront of a growing trend in the defense industry: converting Cold War-era armor into digitally enabled multi-role battlefield solutions. The Condor stands as a powerful example of legacy platform reinvention, aligning reduced procurement timelines and cost efficiency with the operational demands of modern warfare.

As armed forces worldwide look to stretch defense budgets while preparing for complex multi-domain conflicts, the Condor offers a compelling blend of old-world ruggedness and new-age combat readiness, made in Germany and built for the modern battlefield.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.