he Austrian Armed Forces have taken delivery of the first modernized Leopard 2A4 tanks and Ulan infantry fighting vehicles at Jansa Barracks in Großmittel, marking the beginning of a major mechanized fleet upgrade.
Initiated in 2023, the program aims to modernize 170 tracked vehicles by 2029, comprising 58 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and 112 Ulan infantry fighting vehicles.
Austria estimates that the complete modernization effort will require €765 million ($891.4 million), compared with the original projected cost of €561 million ($654.2 million).
The program supports the Austrian military’s “Development Plan 2032+,” which prioritizes maintaining the operational effectiveness of its mechanized forces through upgrades rather than replacing the existing fleet with entirely new vehicle systems.
Leopard 2A4 and Ulan Upgrades
KNDS is responsible for modernizing the Leopard 2A4 fleet. Its work includes replacing hydraulic turret drives with electric units, restoring the tanks’ night-combat capabilities, and upgrading digital fire-control and optical equipment toward A7-level standards.
Meanwhile, General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr is extending the service life of the Ulan fleet. The modernization package includes improvements to electrical systems, optics, turret electronics, and propulsion-related components.
Once the Leopard tanks complete their modernization, they will receive further systems integration at the Austrian Army Logistics Center before being deployed. The upgraded Ulan vehicles will be delivered directly to operational formations for service.
