French officials say Germany is responsible for setbacks in the joint MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) program, prompting Paris to begin negotiations with industry on an interim replacement for the Leclerc.
According to Catherine Vautrin, France’s Minister of Defence, the delays are linked to Germany's plans to develop its own interim tank, often referred to as Leopard 3. As a result, the joint program is now reportedly running decades behind schedule.
Read more: €45M to Find Leopard 2 Successor: Spain Faces Limited Options as MGCS Excludes Them, Allies Diverge
At the same time, officials outlined a possible configuration for a Leclerc successor. It could be based on a German chassis developed by KNDS Germany. This reflects the fact that France currently lacks the capability to independently develop a new tank platform.
However, the turret is expected to remain French, likely developed by KNDS France. A similar concept has already been demonstrated in the EMBT-ADT 140, where a French turret was mounted on a modified Leopard 2 chassis.
With the Leclerc scheduled for retirement around 2037–2038, funding has been included in France's military planning law to identify a replacement. Importantly, this is not intended as a stopgap legacy platform, but as a transitional step toward a next-generation system.
The accusations toward Germany also reflect broader tensions over the FCAS program. German officials have argued that France is attempting to dominate development, which could undermine the joint effort.
Negotiations are ongoing to preserve the European fighter program, and the future tank project may become a bargaining chip. While France could potentially proceed independently with a fighter, Germany may take a similar path in tank development.
At present, MGCS is not expected to be ready until the 2040s, making interim solutions increasingly relevant. The program is envisioned not as a single vehicle, but as a broader system that includes robotic elements. Progress remains slow, although key components such as the engine and transmission have already been contracted to Rolls-Royce.
Read more: KNDS and Rheinmetall Launch Leopard 3 Tank Development for Germany as MGCS Is Planned for the 2040s
