What the Panther is
The KF51 Panther was unveiled at the Eurosatory defense show in Paris in June 2022. It sits a turret of Rheinmetall's design on a chassis derived from the Leopard 2 family, armed with a 130 mm gun fed by an autoloader. That allows a crew of three, with an optional fourth seat for an operator who can control drones or loitering munitions launched from the tank.
Panther vs Leopard 2A8
| KF51 Panther | Leopard 2A8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Main gun | 130 mm smoothbore, autoloaded | 120 mm L/55A1, manual loader |
| Crew | 3 (+1 optional) | 4 |
| Weight | About 59 t (reported) | Mid-60s t |
| Active protection | Yes | Trophy |
| Drones / loitering munitions | Integrated launcher option | Not standard |
| Status | Development; Italy procurement launched | In production; 7 customers |
Italy's purchase
In 2024 Leonardo and Rheinmetall formed a 50:50 joint venture, Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV), to build a new generation of Italian armored vehicles. Italy plans to replace its Ariete tanks with a Panther-based tank, as part of a program reported at about 272 main battle tanks and around 1,050 tracked infantry vehicles. In September 2026 Italy's defense ministry launched an initial EUR 5.14 billion procurement for the new tank and derivative vehicles, with about 60% of the work expected in Italy.
Other interest
Hungary has worked with Rheinmetall on Panther development, and Rheinmetall has discussed producing Panthers in Ukraine. Neither has turned into a large production order yet.
Is the Panther better than the Leopard?
On paper it has a bigger gun and newer ideas. But the Leopard 2A8 is in production now, with a huge user community and supply chain, while the Panther is still maturing. For most armies the near-term choice is the Leopard; in the 2030s the Panther and the Leopard 3 are likely to compete head-on.
Frequently asked questions
Who makes the KF51 Panther?
Rheinmetall. In Italy it will be built through Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles, a joint venture formed in 2024.
Does the Panther use a Leopard 2 chassis?
The prototype uses a chassis derived from the Leopard 2 family with Rheinmetall's own turret.
Which country is buying the KF51 Panther?
Italy launched a EUR 5.14 billion initial procurement in September 2026 to replace its Ariete tanks.