Rolls-Royce has strengthened its role in Europe’s defence supply chain after securing an order for more than 300 mtu MB 873 Ka-501 engines for new Leopard 2 battle tanks. The multi-country procurement covers Germany, Lithuania, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic, with deliveries set to begin in 2026.
Demand for heavy land systems has risen as European governments respond to a more volatile security landscape, and government contracts accounted for a quarter of the company’s Power Systems division’s turnover last year.
Dr Jörg Stratmann, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, said, “This order is not only one of the largest of its kind in recent decades, but also reflects the challenging security situation we find ourselves in. We have recently significantly expanded our capacity for the development and production of urgently needed mtu drive systems for military vehicles and will continue to expand it significantly in order to contribute to improving security in Europe and around the world.”
The supply agreement sits alongside continued upgrades to the Leopard 2 platform, including the 2A8 model, which brings enhanced protection and updated systems to match current operational needs.
Rolls-Royce is also broadening its mtu land systems portfolio through a new engine family for military vehicles. The expanded mtu 199 series will include variants with up to twelve cylinders and outputs above 1,300 kW, designed for both new platforms and repowering programmes as European fleets transition to modernised equipment.
