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Rheinmetall has successfully completed the development of the next-generation of armour-piercing 120mm anti-tank munitions to be fielded by the British and German armies.
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The joint UK–German development effort has also successfully completed the qualification readiness of the advanced armour-piercing munition, known as the KE2020Neo or eKE (enhanced kinetic energy).
The new KE2020Neo impact ammunition in 120mm x 570 caliber continues the successful series of kinetic energy (KE) projectiles from Rheinmetall and leverages a range of innovative technologies, including the high-strength tungsten penetrator, said to be able to penetrate the most modern protection technologies.
As a result, Rheinmetall has been commissioned by the German Armed Forces and the British Army to produce the qualification sample of the new ammunition.
In support of this, a corresponding official qualification contract was signed in September 2024 by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and the management of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH.
Rheinmetall’s current KE cartridges also use a high-strength tungsten penetrator and offer superior performance against modern armour. The DM13 was the first generation to be used. This was followed in the mid-1980s by the more powerful DM23 and later by the DM33.
With the upgrade of the Leopard 2 to the A6 level, Rheinmetall developed two types of more powerful KE ammunition. These became the DM53 and DM63 models used by the Bundeswehr. The DM63 is now available in the REACh-compliant A1 version.
Meanwhile, the more powerful DM73 is currently the most modern iteration, which has been introduced in the Bundeswehr for use with the L55A1 high-pressure weapon.
The qualification contract that has now been awarded once again underlines Rheinmetall’s leading role in the field of tank main armament and smoothbore technology.
Rheinmetall’s 120mm smoothbore technology includes the Rh120 cannon and the associated ammunition family. It is the de facto standard for main battle tanks in NATO and the western hemisphere.
It is used in the German-built Leopard 2 family of tanks and US-made M1 Abrams family of main battle tanks, among others, and is currently also being fitted to the upgraded British Challenger 3 main battle tank.
