Rheinmetall supplies a new generation of tank ammunition for the German and British armies

Rheinmetall, a leader in the production of combat tank weapons, has been commissioned to provide the Bundeswehr and the British Army with qualification samples of its advanced 120mm KE ​​2020 Neo ammunition. This joint project marks a major advance in Rheinmetall's efforts to counter modern defense technologies with state-of-the-art munitions.

KE2020 Neo, also known as enhanced kinetic energy (eKE) munitions, represents the latest innovation in the kinetic energy munitions series ( KE) Rheinmetall. Drawing on decades of experience, this 120mm x 570 caliber ammunition features a high-strength tungsten penetrator designed to defeat the latest defense systems with increased penetration.

Rheinmetall's KE series of projectiles has improved significantly over the initial DM13 model. It was followed by the DM23 in the 1980s, then the DM33, and later improved versions such as the DM53 and DM63, designed to meet the needs of the modernized Leopard 2 A6 tank. The DM73 is currently the most advanced ammunition in the series used by the Bundeswehr in conjunction with the L55A1 high pressure gun. It is worth noting that the DM63 version has been updated to comply with EU REACh regulations, thus complying with European environmental standards.

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The official qualification contract signed in September 2020 between the Bundeswehr Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Internal Support (BAAINBw) and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH underlines Rheinmetall's leading position in smoothbore and tank weapon technology. Rheinmetall's 120mm smoothbore technology, including the Rh120 guns and ammunition family, has become the NATO standard for main battle tanks such as the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams, and is integrated into the Challenger 3 tank, enhancing its combat capabilities.

In addition qualification munitions, cooperation between Rheinmetall, Germany and Great Britain is progressing to modernize tank munitions in NATO forces. This partnership, including the British Army's Challenger 3 and Germany's Leopard 2 platforms, aims to standardize munition types between NATO members, improving interoperability. This agreement not only strengthens Rheinmetall's position in tank armament technology, but also opens the door to future cooperation with other NATO allies, creating important export opportunities for Rheinmetall and its partners in the UK.

The new KE 2020 Neo projectiles also will support the Challenger 3 upgrade program, where a smoothbore gun will replace the Challenger 2 rifled gun. This change aligns the British tank with standard NATO configurations, with full combat capability expected by 2030. Ammunition is planned to be prepared by that time.