Deliveries in “15-18 months”
Rheinmetall’s leadership discussed the plan to export the Panther main battle tank to Ukraine and even entertained the possibility of building a production facility there. The company has positioned this tank as its most advanced main battle option, showcased at a Paris exhibition, where it was touted as the strongest tank in its class. Ukraine is highlighted as the first customer for this machine.
According to Rheinmetall executives, a finished Panther could reach Ukraine within 15 to 18 months. Plans are flexible regarding where the tanks could be manufactured, with options including Germany or Hungary. A demonstration model exists, but the company emphasizes that full-scale production would begin after final confirmations and export clearances.
The article notes that because Panther originated in Germany, formal approval from the Federal Republic is required for exports. Company leadership expresses confidence that Europe will progress with the sale, arguing that it should not be possible to keep main battle tanks out of European stockpiles. Rheinmetall also stated that it can build vehicles from scratch, meaning no country would need to draw tanks directly from its existing reserves.
There is mention of a potential Panther assembly facility in Ukraine once hostilities cease and export licenses are secured, assuming government authorization in Germany continues to align with the plan.
Rheinmetall projects that its new tanks could eventually supplant current main battle platforms like the Leopard 2 and are positioned as game‑changing for future battlefield dynamics.
In closing, company leadership underscored the urgency for Ukraine to persevere through the conflict and highlighted that national security will be paramount once the war ends.
“Future tankology”
Rheinmetall’s Panther KF51 is described as a flagship product within the company’s vision of future armored warfare. The tank is portrayed as a first‑of‑its‑kind platform, developed with modern technologies and designed from the ground up to redefine capability on the battlefield.
The Panther KF51 is said to incorporate a fully digitized data transmission system that promises superior lethality and advanced operational automation, along with enhanced survivability features.
The system aims to reduce crew requirements through automation and an advanced 130‑mm Future Weapon System, enabling long‑range engagements with increased precision. This design supports unmanned turret concepts and expanded firepower in multi‑target scenarios to boost overall combat effectiveness.
Developers describe Panther as a platform built to dominate and destroy on future battlefields, leveraging the Rheinmetall Future Weapon System, which integrates a 130‑mm cannon with an automatic fire control system and additional weapon options to concentrate firepower at range.
Panther includes survivability enhancements like pre‑action threat detection and a top‑tier protection system designed to counter above‑ground threats. A smoke masking system and mine protection are part of the package, while the overall combat weight sits around 59 tons, a balance aimed at improving mobility relative to other contemporary systems.
The design envisions integration with unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous drones, loitering munitions, and a spectrum of unmanned ground vehicles to support operations at platoon level air defense and beyond. The tank is described as a three‑person platform, reflecting a shift toward higher automation and reduced crew size.