Image: Croatian MoD
Croatia has taken a decisive step in modernising its armoured forces, signing contracts in Berlin for the acquisition of 44 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks—one of Europe’s most advanced armoured platforms—according to the source story provided. The agreement marks Croatia’s largest single defence procurement to date and signals a long-planned transition away from legacy Eastern-design equipment.
Contracts Signed in Berlin
In a ceremony attended by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić signed the official order confirmation for the tanks on 10 December 2025. Earlier the same day, Anušić inked a separate agreement with KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG covering crew training simulators, support equipment, and a five-year extended warranty beginning with the first delivery.
The combined value of the procurement—tanks, simulators, and warranty packages—is €1.48 billion.
Plenković noted that the deal leverages the EU’s Support to Ammunition and Arms for Defence (SAFE) instrument, which approved €1.7 billion for Croatia. A portion of those funds will directly finance the Leopard purchase. “Croatia is gradually abandoning eastern military technology and moving to western technology,” the prime minister said, highlighting growing defence cooperation with Germany.
Modernisation After Years of Underinvestment
Defence Minister Anušić said the Leopard 2A8 deal reflects the government’s long-term effort to re-equip the Croatian Armed Forces after what he described as “more than 15 years of neglect.” Since 2016, he said, Croatia has been rebuilding capabilities to ensure its military remains effective amid increasingly challenging security conditions in Europe.
The procurement forms part of a wider modernisation package, which also includes 18 Caesar Mk2 self-propelled howitzers, anti-drone defence systems, and 420 Tatra heavy trucks. Combined, these four programmes are valued at approximately €2 billion. Aside from the anti-drone systems, all of these major acquisitions will be funded through the EU SAFE mechanism.
Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid described the Leopard 2A8 as a transformative capability for Croatia’s armoured units. “These tanks will provide a significantly higher level of manoeuvrability, firepower and protection for our crews,” he said, calling them the most advanced armoured fighting vehicles available on the market.
Joint Procurement with Germany
Croatia is joining a multinational procurement programme coordinated by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defence, alongside Norway, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. Deliveries of the Croatian tanks are scheduled between 2028 and 2030.
Of the total cost, €1.14 billion will be financed through the EU SAFE instrument from 2026 to 2030. Croatia will fund an additional €343.5 million from the national budget through 2033 to cover VAT, economic price adjustments, and extended warranty services.
Germany has also reimbursed Croatia €144.8 million for equipment Zagreb transferred to Ukraine in late 2024—including M-84 tanks and M-80 infantry fighting vehicles—reducing the net cost of the Leopard procurement.
A Four-Decade Leap in Capability
The Leopard 2A8 represents the latest evolution of the German-built Leopard family produced by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall. For Croatia, the shift from its ageing Yugoslav-era M-84 tanks to the 2A8 brings nearly 40 years of technological advancement.
Key features of the 2A8 include:
- Trophy Active Protection System integrated as standard
- Enhanced armour packages
- Advanced sensors and digitalised fire-control systems
- Modern command, control, and communications architecture
- Full NATO interoperability
These capabilities position the Leopard 2A8 as the backbone of Croatia’s next-generation armoured forces.
