On October 28, 2024, Croatia and Germany took a step in strengthening their defense capabilities by signing a letter of intent in Berlin. This document marks the beginning of negotiations for Croatia’s acquisition of 50 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks, one of the latest and most technologically advanced models in the renowned Leopard series. The agreement, brokered by Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, paves the way for a major modernization of the Croatian military’s armored fleet.
Under the proposed agreement, Germany will compensate Croatia for the M-84 and M-80 vehicles, thus reducing the overall cost of the Leopard 2A8s.
The Leopard 2A8 is a modern main battle tank developed in Germany, known for its combination of firepower, advanced protection, and mobility on the battlefield. It is armed with a 120 mm L55 smoothbore gun capable of engaging a variety of targets at long range with precision, while a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun adds defensive capability against light threats. To improve survivability in hostile environments, the tank is equipped with the Trophy active protection system, which intercepts incoming anti-tank missiles and rockets.