Tanks

Rheinmetall, Bumar-Labedy Sign $144M Polish Tank Modernization Deal

Germany’s Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH and Poland’s state-run defense company Bumar-Labedy SA have signed a deal worth €130 million (US $144 million) to modernize the Leopard 2A4 tanks, which are operated by the Polish military, Bumar-Labedy said in a statement.

Under the plan, Rheinmetall will build a prototype upgraded tank, dubbed the Leopard 2PL, and modernize a trial batch of about a dozen units. Following this, the German manufacturer will transfer its know-how to Bumar-Labedy, and the Gliwice-based company will upgrade the remaining tanks. In 2002, Poland acquired 128 Leopard 2A4s from the German Bundeswehr.