The Austrian Armed Forces have started taking delivery of upgraded Leopard 2A4 tanks and Ulan infantry fighting vehicles under a program intended to improve the readiness and longevity of the country’s mechanized formations.The first modernized vehicles have arrived at Jansa Barracks in Großmittel, beginning deliveries from a modernization initiative launched in 2023.Austria plans to refurbish 170 tracked vehicles by 2029. The package includes 58 Leopard 2A4 tanks and 112 Ulan IFVs. Program expenditure has increased to an estimated €765 million, compared with the original forecast of €561 million.The investment supports Development Plan 2032+, which prioritizes strengthening military readiness through modernization of existing platforms rather than immediately replacing them with new vehicle families.For the Leopard 2A4, KNDS is installing electric turret-drive systems and improving the vehicle’s fire-control and optical equipment. Night-fighting capability will also be restored, with several systems upgraded toward Leopard 2A7-level standards.General Dynamics European Land Systems-Steyr is carrying out the Ulan life-extension work. The improvements cover onboard electronics, optical systems, turret components, and vehicle drive systems.Modernized Leopard tanks will undergo additional integration and preparation at the Austrian Army Logistics Center before being returned to operational formations. Ulan vehicles, meanwhile, will proceed directly to military units after refurbishment.The approach allows Austria to strengthen its armored forces and extend platform service lives while limiting the need for a costly wholesale replacement of its existing tracked fleet.
