Sweden purchases new simulators for Leopard tanks

The crew training facility, BTA 122, is one of various centres receiving new Leopard 2A5 MBT simulators, replacing existing systems such as the one pictured. (Swedish Armed Forces)

The Swedish Armed Forces is procuring new Stridsvagn 122 (Leopard 2A5) tank simulators from KNDS to improve crew training.

KNDS – a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter – will be supplying the new simulators, replacing the trainers at the BTA 122 and TBTA crew training facilities, according to an announcement by the Swedish Armed Forces on 18 January.

Along with this, the company is supplying simulators to the l19 Norrbotten and P7 South Skåne regiments as well as a single trainer for the P18 Gotland Regiment.

Deliveries will take place continuously until 2029.

The Swedish Armed Forces was unable to respond to Janes at the time of publication regarding technical specifications and the number of simulators being procured.

According to the announcement, the new simulators will offer training for the whole tank crew, consisting of the commander, gunner, driver, and loader, across all stages. The new simulators will also be equipped with the army's new command-and-control (C2) system.

The army's Stridsvagn 122 main battle tanks (MBTs) are undergoing a major modernisation programme following a contract signed with KMW in October 2023, which will see the company replace all the tanks' electrical components as well as install a new L/55 120 mm gun, gunner and commander sights, night driving cameras, and running gear, including tracks.