A new manufacturing center for the Leopard 2A8 main battle tank has been inaugurated in Levanger, Norway, by KNDS Deutschland in partnership with automotive company RITEK.
The facility strengthens Norway’s defense industrial base as the country moves forward with its localized Leopard 2A8 procurement program under a contract exceeding $2 billion signed in 2023.
The program covers as many as 54 tanks, including 15 units manufactured in Germany, two of which have already been delivered to the Norwegian Army.
Assembly of the remaining 37 tanks will now take place at the Levanger production site.
According to KNDS, the factory was built in just 18 months and integrates both manufacturing and vehicle testing capabilities under one roof.
The plant can produce up to 36 tanks annually and relies on geothermal energy solutions to improve environmental sustainability.
Its testing infrastructure features laser-based measurement tracks, demanding gradient courses, and a water immersion pool to ensure each vehicle meets operational standards before delivery.
