# European Leopard 2A8 tank production expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-leopard-2a8-tank-production-expansion > Updated: 2026-10-16T17:49:40.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. European nations are expanding domestic production capabilities for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks through partnerships with German defense manufacturers. In Lithuania, construction has started on a 13,000-square-meter facility in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone. This project, a joint venture involving Rheinmetall and KNDS, aims to assemble and maintain heavy military equipment. The facility is expected to be completed by November 2027, with the first tank assembly anticipated by the end of 2028. The Lithuanian state-owned company EPSO-G Invest will hold a 25.1% stake in the venture. Simultaneously, production has officially commenced at a new facility in Levanger, Norway. Developed by KNDS and the Norwegian company RITEK, the plant is dedicated to manufacturing 37 Leopard 2A8 tanks for the Norwegian Army. Beyond fulfilling local contracts, the Norwegian site is intended to increase the total annual production capacity for Leopard 2A8 tanks across Europe. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-16: Leopard 2A8 tank production begins at new Norwegian facility KNDS and RITEK have begun producing Leopard 2A8 tanks at a new facility in Levanger, Norway, to fulfill a 54-tank order for the Norwegian Army and expand European production capacity. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leopard-2a8-tank-production-begins-at-new-norwegian-facility ### 2026-10-02: Lithuania begins construction of Leopard 2A8 tank assembly plant Construction has started on a new facility in Kaunas, Lithuania, to assemble and maintain Leopard 2A8 tanks through a joint venture involving Rheinmetall and KNDS. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lithuania-begins-construction-of-leopard-2a8-tank-assembly-plant --- Cite as: European Leopard 2A8 tank production expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-leopard-2a8-tank-production-expansion