Main Battle Tank
Rheinmetall KF51 Panther
The Rheinmetall KF51 Panther is a German main battle tank concept with a 130 mm gun, unveiled at Eurosatory in June 2022. Developed privately by Rheinmetall, it is still in development and trials, with no operators yet.
Germany|RheinmetallOverview
Rheinmetall unveiled the KF51 Panther at Eurosatory in June 2022 as a next-generation answer to the T-90M and other modern Russian armour. It carries a 130 mm L/51 smoothbore gun with an autoloader and 40 rounds, 20 of them ready. The crew is three, with an unmanned turret. The hull draws on Leopard 2 and Puma technology. Combat weight is about 59 t, the MTU engine produces roughly 1,500 hp, and protection combines modular armour, the AMAP-ADS active defence and optional drone defence.
No army operates the Panther yet, and the programme remains in development and trials. The name echoes the Second World War German tank. Italy’s Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles joint venture agreed in 2024 to base the Italian Army’s new tank on the KF51, and Hungary has been named for a variant, but no verified deliveries exist. Rheinmetall also announced plans for Ukraine, which remain a concept. Industry estimates put the unit price at about 10–13 million EUR (hedged); it is a private venture separate from the Franco-German MGCS.
Key Specifications
Variants
The KF51 Panther is the base 130 mm demonstrator with an autoloader and a crew of three.
The KF51 Panther EVO is the version with a new turret and further upgrades.
The Panther KF51 HU and IT variants are the versions proposed for Hungary and Italy’s tank programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the KF51 Panther cost?
The Rheinmetall KF51 Panther has no official price, but industry estimates suggest about 10–13 million EUR per tank (hedged). Rheinmetall has not formally published a unit cost.
Is the KF51 Panther in service?
No. The KF51 Panther is not in service with any army, and the programme remains in development and trials. Production decisions are still open, and Italy and Hungary are the main named prospects.
What gun does the KF51 Panther have?
The KF51 Panther has a 130 mm L/51 smoothbore gun with an autoloader, larger than the 120 mm guns of the Leopard 2 and Abrams. A 120 mm option is also offered on the KF51-A1.
KF51 Panther vs Leopard 2A8: which is better?
The KF51 Panther has a bigger 130 mm gun and an unmanned turret with a crew of three, while the Leopard 2A8 is a proven in-service tank with a 120 mm gun. The Panther is still a demonstrator, so the comparison is on paper.
Is the KF51 Panther being delivered to Ukraine?
No verified delivery of the KF51 Panther to Ukraine has taken place. Rheinmetall announced plans to supply and produce it for Ukraine in 2023–2024, but media describe it as a concept.
Who makes the KF51 Panther?
The KF51 Panther is made by Rheinmetall of Germany as a private-venture programme. It is separate from the Franco-German MGCS (Main Ground Combat System), which is meant to supersede current tanks.