Timeline

Leopard 2 enters service

Future European Fighter Aircraft programme launched

France withdraws

Left over leadership and carrier requirements, developing the Rafale alone. Europe has had two same-generation fighters ever since.

First flight

2A6 adopts the L/55 barrel

A 1.3 m longer barrel with a marked gain in penetration.

Six-nation development agreement signed

Delivered to operational units

HK416 introduced

Adopted by the U.S. Marine Corps as the M27 IAR

Initially bought as an automatic rifle, later expanded to a general infantry rifle.

First combat over Libya

2A7 delivered

Urban operations package, remote weapon station, and auxiliary power unit.

First operational on the Gripen

Selected by the German Bundeswehr

Replacing the G36 and ending a long dispute over that rifle's accuracy under sustained fire.

Integration completed on Typhoon and Rafale

First large-scale high-intensity combat

Employed in Ukraine, exposing Western third-generation tanks' vulnerabilities in an environment saturated with drones and anti-tank missiles.