KNDS's Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 second prototype debuts in exercise showcasing NATO next-gen tank design.

On early August 2025, French-German defense manufacturer KNDS showcased the second prototype of its next-generation main battle tank, the Leopard 2A-RC 3.0, during a demonstration at the Klietz military training area, as reported by Defense Blog. Video and pictures published by the YouTube channel Militär- und Landtechnik Klaus Schröder revealed a platform that redefines the Leopard family’s design philosophy, integrating an unmanned turret, a fully reconfigured crew compartment, and modular upgrade potential. The unveiling comes at a time when lessons from Ukraine’s armored warfare underscore the need for greater crew survivability, advanced protection systems, and adaptable firepower, factors that make this prototype’s debut strategically significant.
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The Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 PT02 emerges not just as a technological successor to the Leopard 2 series but as a blueprint for NATO’s next-generation armored warfare. By combining a protected crew cell, multi-caliber readiness, active defenses, and integrated missile capability, KNDS positions this tank to meet both present and future battlefield demands (Picture source: Militär- und Landtechnik Klaus Schröder)

The Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 PT02 features a radical departure from the traditional manned turret layout. Its three-person crew, commander, driver, and gunner, are located entirely within the hull, shielded by the vehicle’s heaviest armor. The unmanned turret houses a 120 mm smoothbore main gun capable of firing 18 rounds per minute through a bustle-mounted autoloader, with structural provisions for future integration of 130 mm or even 140 mm calibers. The PT02 also includes a Spike LR anti-tank missile launcher, the Israeli Trophy active protection system, reactive armor, and a 30 mm remote weapon station, significantly broadening its engagement profile. A compact turret silhouette combined with a sub-60-ton combat weight enhances mobility and reduces detection, while a 1,500 hp engine delivers a top speed of 65 km/h and a 460 km range.

Development of the Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 began as part of a broader modernization strategy to ensure European main battle tanks remain competitive against new-generation platforms. The first prototype served primarily as a proof of concept for the unmanned turret and internal crew configuration, validating ballistic protection layouts and integration of the autoloader. The second prototype presented at Klietz represents a more refined system, integrating additional systems like UAV support, layered defensive suites, and enhanced ergonomics for the crew. This evolutionary process mirrors other advanced MBT programs, such as the U.S. Abrams X and Russia’s T-14 Armata, but the Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 distinguishes itself through its emphasis on modularity and cross-caliber adaptability.

Compared to the first prototype, the PT02 offers a clearer operational vision, aligning its configuration with battlefield realities observed in Ukraine, where precision long-range engagements, drone reconnaissance, and active protection systems are critical. Against peers like the Abrams X, it offers a lower combat weight and a more flexible gun architecture, while the Armata’s unmanned turret concept finds a parallel here, but with NATO-standard fire control, munitions, and interoperability. The integration of missiles, UAV capability, and advanced APS positions the Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 as a multi-domain combat asset rather than solely a tank-versus-tank platform.

Strategically, the second prototype signals Europe’s intent to maintain armored dominance in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment. As armored duels in Ukraine demonstrate the vulnerability of traditional MBTs to loitering munitions, artillery, and precision missiles, the Leopard 2A-RC 3.0’s survivability-oriented architecture reflects an adaptation to this threat landscape. Its modularity also supports long service life and export flexibility, potentially giving European forces and partners a decisive technological edge in future high-intensity conflicts.

The Leopard 2A-RC 3.0 PT02 emerges not just as a technological successor to the Leopard 2 series but as a blueprint for NATO’s next-generation armored warfare. By combining a protected crew cell, multi-caliber readiness, active defenses, and integrated missile capability, KNDS positions this tank to meet both present and future battlefield demands. The second prototype’s unveiling marks a critical milestone, not only for the Leopard lineage but for European land warfare capabilities as a whole.