As Reuters inform Berlin and Paris have reached a "breakthrough" on how to develop a planned next-generation tank known as the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).
"This is more than a milestone, it is a historic moment", German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, speaking alongside his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu on Friday, March 22.
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The tank, which is supposed to replace Germany's legacy Leopard and France's Leclerc systems, is the second major arms industry project between the two countries alongside their ambitions to build a next-generation fighter jet known as FCAS.
The agreement sealed on Friday includes an understanding to equally split up industrial volumes between the two countries, Pistorius said, adding that a formal document to kick off the first development phase will be signed in Paris on April 26.
Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, France's Lecornu said the FCAS fighter jet programme is also making "good progress", without giving further details on the state of its development.
Under the agreement, the defense companies Nexter from France, and KMW and Rheinmetall from Germany, will each spearhead the development of one-third of the program's key components. It has been assured that Nexter will manufacture 50% of the systems, maintaining the originally agreed-upon balance, with the remaining share to be divided equally between the two German firms. The first unit of this advanced combat vehicle is expected to be operational by 2035.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, German Defense Minister Pistorius emphasized that the MGCS will be a revolutionary model, distinct from France's Leclerc and Germany's Leopard 2 tanks, equipped with cutting-edge technological advancements. "This isn't merely an update; it's a brand-new leap in tank technology," Pistorius commented.
The minister further elaborated on the agreement's specifics, stating, "We have agreed on the distribution of all tasks for this major project as to what Germany and France will be doing. Together we have determined clear boundaries, and there will be no room for interpretation or any misunderstandings." This clarity and commitment from both nations signify a unified approach towards achieving a significant enhancement in their military capabilities.
This development is not just a milestone in Franco-German defense relations but also a strategic move to strengthen European defense autonomy. By pooling resources, expertise, and industrial capabilities, France and Germany are setting a precedent for European defense cooperation, aiming to deliver a platform that will serve the future needs of their armed forces and potentially those of other European allies.
Launched in 2017, the MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) is a landmark Franco-German armament program designed to herald a new era in armored warfare. This ambitious project aims to replace the venerable German Leopard 2 tanks and the French Leclerc tanks with a system that seamlessly integrates the latest technological advancements. Unlike traditional heavy armored vehicles, the MGCS is conceived as a sophisticated multi-platform system. It includes a main battle tank equipped with a large caliber gun and is complemented by a suite of interconnected modules: a heavily armored vehicle armed with potent anti-tank missiles, a natively robotic support vehicle boasting laser weaponry, drones, and a range of other groundbreaking armaments.
The MGCS will be the tank of the future, integrating several Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The MGCS stands at the forefront of military technological innovation, incorporating AI to assist crews in intelligence gathering, planning, command, and coordination of fire. This integration of AI will facilitate swift decision-making processes at the command level. "Humans will always be in the loop, thereby remaining at the heart of decision-making processes," emphasizes Martial, the capability architect overseeing the MGCS project at the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA).
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