UK, Germany Mark Next Phase in Joint Tank Ammo Programme

Germany and the United Kingdom will work together on the next phase of development for advanced armour-piercing tank ammunition.

UK National Armaments Director, Andy Start, met his German counterpart, Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki, at the Honourable Artillery Company in London, where they signed a Statement of Intent to work together on the Enhanced Kinetic Energy (EKE) round – an advanced armour-piercing ammunition providing a step change in the Army’s ability to defeat evolving enemy threats.

Demonstrating that the new munition passes all legal and regulatory standards, this next phase of “qualification” marks a significant milestone in the ammunition’s programme. Ongoing discussions will seek a joint programme to be stood up this year, with the aim for the EKE ammunition to be used on the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank and German Leopard 2 tank.

The EKE rounds would be fired from the L55A1 turret on Challenger 3 and Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks, supporting interoperability with NATO allies. The agreement follows both countries announcing the gifting of a squadron of their respective Main Battle Tanks to support Ukraine in its fight to counter Russia’s illegal invasion.

Under the terms of the new agreement, Germany and the UK will also remain open for additional nations to join the cooperation or be export recipients, as well as continuing discussions on potential collaboration for other types of 120mm tank ammunition.