Leopard Operator Group Conference in Bern
From 5 to 8 May 2025, armasuisse welcomed around 70 persons from 14 member states to a conference in Bern on behalf of the Swiss Confederation as a member of the Leopard Tank Operator Group (LeoBen). The goal was to encourage communication regarding the Leopard tank and its systems, as well as to promote international cooperation in order to make a contribution to the security of Switzerland.
Lucia Egger, Specialist area Communication, Strategic Staff
Switzerland has been part of the working groups “Technology” and “Usage” for the Leopard-2 tanks since 1985. The Swiss Confederation became a member of the umbrella organisation Operator Group for Leopard Tanks (LeoBen) at the end of 2023. The LeoBen currently consists of 22 member states, most of which are European countries. However, the members also include countries outside of Europe, such as Canada and Singapore. The cooperation with other countries which use the same vehicles and systems based on these serves to support operation and maintenance. The Community of Leopard User Groups, founded in 1969, consists of several working groups. In these working groups, the members discuss logistical and developmental issues to increase the efficiency of the main battle tanks on a common basis and to lower costs. LeoBen is managed by a steering committee under German leadership. User experiences can be exchanged and compared thanks to the active participation of Switzerland. Among other things, this reinforces the negotiating position of the user states vis-à-vis the manufacturing companies and provides Switzerland with a greater say. There is also the opportunity to take part in other projects with systems based on the Leopard-2 tank.
To actively promote the exchange of ideas, two weeks of events are organised every year, one in Germany and one in another of the member states. This year, Switzerland was selected as the host. Under the leadership of Stefan Rutz, project manager at armasuisse, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement welcomed around 70 participants from 14 member states in Bern from 5 to 8 May 2025.
Programme of the LeoBen conference week
The Head of the Trial Staff Colonel in the General Staff Filip Vincenz opened the conference on Monday evening with a welcoming address on behalf of the Commander of the Tank and Artillery Training Unit Brigadier Yves Gächter. The Head of Delegation of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support for Leopard topics and chairman of the user group, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Lobitz, then addressed a few words to those present. At the subsequent ice breaker drinks reception, the guests had the opportunity to exchange ideas and network in a relaxed atmosphere. The cornerstone for productive discussions over the next few days was thus laid. Among others, the German defence attaché, Lieutenant Commander Per Fritz Weiler and Walter Gerhard, Head of Sector Impact Ground at armasuisse were present.
The first conference day began on Tuesday with all those present from the Leopard operator groups.
Key technical and logistical topics were discussed, and user experiences exchanged and compared in various presentations. This formed the basis for focused discussions, which led to a common understanding of the tasks ahead and enabled the definition of concrete action to be taken.
On Wednesday morning, the participants continued the discussions in smaller working groups with various different focal points. They concentrated on finding solutions for the challenges associated with the Leopard tanks.
In the afternoon, the guests had the opportunity to gain historic insights into the Swiss capital during a guided tour through Bern. The day was concluded by a joint dinner, which brought the day to a close for the participants.
On the last day, Thursday, the members continued the discussions in the various working groups. They continued to concentrate on specific topics and developed a wide range of solutions to eliminate the emerging obsolescences and to optimise the efficiency of the Leopard-2 tank and its systems.
Thanks to the Leopard Operator Group Conference in Bern, valuable insights on technical and logistical aspects of the increase in efficiency and effectiveness of the Leopard-2 tank and its systems were obtained. In addition, the event encouraged intercultural cooperation and made a further contribution to the security of Switzerland.
The 22 member states of the Leopard Tank Operator Group are as follows:
Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Denmark, Canada, Turkey (participation currently suspended), Greece, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Singapore, Finland, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Switzerland’s neutrality and independence will not be impaired by participation in the operator group for Leopard vehicles or the subordinate working groups. The cooperation under the agreement is restricted to technical and logistical questions in the utilisation phase of the systems. Switzerland decides itself whether it wants to participate in working groups and whether it wants to work together with other participating states.