Leopard 2A8NOR "Thomas"

Til_Dovre_Faller · November 20, 2025, 6:37pm

LEOPARD 2A8NOR

ARMAMENT

Spoiler

Main armament: 1x Rh-120mm L/55A1 smoothbore cannon
- Programmable HE ammunition
- Ammunition capacity: 42 rounds
Secondary Coaxial machinegun: 1x 7.62x51mm MG3
- Ammunition capacity: 2.000 Rounds + unknown stowage
Mount for a anti aircraft/commander hatch mounted mg, time will show whether or not a gun will be mounted here
Trophy Hardkill & Softkill APS

SYSTEMS

Spoiler

Integrated Trophy Hard-Kill Active Protection System
Kongsberg Defense’s ICS/CORTEX systems
Fully Digital Electronic Arcitecture
Laser Warning Recievers

NORWEGIAN MODIFICATIONS
-Kongsberg Defense’s ICS/CORTEX systems
-Laser Warning Recievers
-Tailored chassis for improved eigne cooling/heating
-Specialized tracks for very low temperatures and performance in Norwegian terrain
-Proprietary tech from Teleplan Globe AS Thales Norway
-Lightweight side skirts optimized for artic mobility (Snow)
-Chassis and Suspension reinforcements

ARMOR
-Modular Composite Armor Package (unknown specific thicknesses/effect)
-Mine resistant underbelly
-Enhanced side and hull armor
-Lightweight skirts (Thinner than German model)
-Chassis and Suspension reinforcements (For extreme cold weather, increased armor protection a tiny bit)

TECHNICAL DATA
Combat weight: 68-70 Metric Tons
Length w/cannon: 10.97 Meter
Length Hull: 7.72 Meter
Width: 3.75 Meter
Height: 3 Meter
Ground clearance: 0.54 Meter
Track Width: 0.635 Meter
Eigne: MTU MB 873 KA-501 V12 twin turbocharged diesel eigne
Eigne power: 1.500 HP at 2.600 RPM
Power to weight: 21.7 hp per ton
Transmission: Renk HSWL 354 (+4 -2)
Suspension: Torsion bar with hydraulic shock absorbers
Maximum speeds: 70kmh on road, 45kmh off road

HISTORY
In late 2021 we were informed that the Norwegian government had approved the acquisition of new tanks. There was a need for new tanks to replace the aging Leopard 2A4’s wich has been in service of the Norwegian army since 2002, and there were discussed whether or not they should do a larger and much cheaper upgrade on the existing Leopard 2A4 tanks and extend their service with a couple decades. This would then have been an upgrade of the vehicles fire control systems, ammunition and so on. In early 2022 two variants of each, Leopard 2A7 and K2 were delivered to Norway to undergo winter tests at Rena camp. In the end, around a year later it was announced that the Norwegian army had chosen the Leopard 2A7 and 54 units were ordered. The reasoning behind the decision were the ease of service and the acquisition of parts and ammunition during crisis, with all the neighboring countries operating leopard’s. However they quickly changed their mind and decided to change the order and wait for the Leopard 2A8. It was named Leopard 2A8NOR.

The first unit of the new Leopard 2A8NOR main battle tanks was recently unveiled and shown to the public very recently at the KMW Nexter Defense Systems factory in München, Germany. The tank has been given the name “Thomas”. The first wagons will be delivered to Norway in the early 2026 after the tank has been tested and verified that everything is working as it should. They will then be delivered to Norway and be integrated in Telemark Bataljon and all the remaining tanks is expected to be delivered from 2027 to 2028 and be integrated in the Norwegian army continuously.

It has earlier been announced that Norway is going to build some of these tanks themselves, specifically 37x hulls are going to be transported to Ritek A/S in Levanger, Norway and will there be built and modified. This will be the first time in modern times that any tank will be built in Norway. There will highly likely be an upgrade on all of the tanks either after all units are delivered or done continuously, such as any Kongsberg remote weapon station like the RS4 potentially in for an anti drone role or for better awareness.

On the side of the turret of the tank is written in block letters “Thomas”. According to Brigade North commander Terje Bruøygard, it has been named after Thomas Skydsrud at the Army’s Weapons School. (Thomas Skydsrud is referred to as a tank legend). Below are a few quotes from the Armed Forces Forum’s interview with Thomas.

- He is a dedicated professional who has worked with tanks since 1998. He has been the pillar of the competence to make Norway one of the best tank nations in the world, says Bruøygard.

- It is a great gift that I greatly appreciate. A nice and unexpected collegial gesture, says Skydsrud.

- It is not certain that the tank will be called Thomas in the long term, and it is also not clear whether the rest of the tanks will be named - and if so what.