On August 25, 2026, the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) handed over to the troops the first upgraded main battle tanks Leopard 2A4 and Ulan infantry fighting vehicles. This is reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing an official statement from the Bundesheer. The event marked the first tangible return of the upgraded armored vehicles to service after Austria launched a modernization program for its armored fleet in 2023.

What Was Handed Over to the Troops

The August 25 ceremony featured the upgraded Leopard 2A4 tanks and Ulan infantry fighting vehicles, which have already begun arriving at units. However, according to the Bundesheer, the modernization process is not yet fully complete: the vehicles handed over will be sent to the Army Logistics Center (Heereslogistikzentrum) for final finishing work. Thus, the handover of the first samples to the troops is a stage, not the completion of the entire armored vehicle upgrade program.

What Changed in the Leopard 2A4

As part of the modernization, outdated components on the Leopard 2A4 are being replaced and the tank's ability to fight in the dark is being restored — a capability the vehicle had lost due to equipment wear. One of the most significant technical changes announced for this platform is the replacement of the hydraulic turret traverse system with an electric drive. The Leopard 2A4 remains the main weapon of Austria's tank forces, combining powerful armament with high mobility in difficult terrain.

Modernization of the Ulan Infantry Fighting Vehicles

In parallel, Austria is carrying out a comprehensive upgrade of its Ulan infantry fighting vehicle fleet. The work includes replacing optical systems and electronic components, repairing electrical equipment, and replacing parts of the running gear. These changes affect several key subsystems of the vehicle and support the long-term combat readiness of the Bundesheer's mechanized units. The Ulan is the main combat vehicle of Austria's tank grenadier units: it is equipped with a cannon, carries a squad of grenadiers in addition to the crew, and combines protected mobility with firepower, allowing it to operate in close coordination with Leopard tanks in difficult terrain.

Contradictory Data

It is important here to honestly reflect the difference in how the timelines are presented. The official position of the Bundesheer, conveyed through RBC-Ukraine, records the fact of the handover of the first upgraded Leopard 2A4 and Ulan to the troops on August 25, 2026, and notes that the program started in 2023, with the final finishing work on the vehicles still ahead. At the same time, Ukrainian media (focus.ua) describe the "real pace of tank building" and report that Austria may wait up to seven years for the full modernization of the Leopard 2. The two versions do not exclude each other: the first samples have already been handed over, but bringing the entire fleet to the target state will, according to press estimates, take years. The difference is that the official source speaks of a specific handover stage, while the media estimates refer to the duration of the entire program.

Context and Statements

Austrian Defense Minister Claudia Tanner, present at the handover ceremony, stated that the upgraded armored vehicle fleet strengthens the Bundesheer's capabilities precisely where this is particularly important for the country's military defense, calling the event a visible embodiment of the Aufbauplan ÖBH 2032+ program. Contextually, this is happening against the backdrop of the fact that, according to RBC-Ukraine, due to the threat of FPV drones and the risk of position demasking, ground-based robotic complexes are increasingly being preferred for logistical and evacuation tasks; at the same time, as Viktor Pavlov, an officer of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, explained, a full transition to robotic platforms is impossible, since large armored vehicles remain necessary where payload capacity and crew protection are important.