France and Germany signed an agreement on Friday to develop the prototype of the MGCS, the ‘tank of the future’, also known as the MGCS (Main Ground Combat System). The prototype shares 50% of the work between the two countries’ manufacturers. This agreement marks the start of the prototype development phase for the MGCS.
The MGCS is a flagship cooperation project between the two European countries and is intended to replace the French Leclerc and German Leopard tanks by 2040.
The MGCS will be a “system of systems”, incorporating significant technological advances, including artificial intelligence, drones and lasers. French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu described the MGCS not as the “tank of the future”, but as the “future of the tank”.
The agreement also establishes an equal division of labor between the two countries’ manufacturers. This means that both France and Germany will have an equal share in the development of the prototype.
This project is a significant milestone for European cooperation in defense policy. However, it is worth noting that there were tensions between the two countries over some details. Despite this, the agreement signed is testimony to the mutual commitment of France and Germany to move forward together in the area of defense.
The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is a project launched in 2017 by Germany and France, with the aim of replacing their current Leopard 2 and Leclerc main battle tanks (MBTs). Here are some of the known technical specifications of the MGCS:
- System Type: The MGCS will not be a single armored fighting vehicle, but a series of systems designed around said vehicle.
- Manufacturers: It will be developed and manufactured by KNDS (a holding company founded in 2015 by German arms producer KMW and French defense company Nexter Systems) and Rheinmetall, which joined the project in 2019.
- Capability requirements: The list of capability requirements for the future Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is long. It must detect and identify threats from a distance, improve crew protection, increase firepower and mobility, among others.
- Technological Challenges: Many technological challenges will have to be overcome. This includes significant advances, including artificial intelligence, drones and lasers.
- Production: The first production unit should roll off the assembly line in 2035.
The armament planned for the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is quite advanced and includes:
- Main Weapon: The MGCS’s main weapon will be a cannon. Nexter, one of the companies involved in the project, has mentioned that the cannon will be able to accommodate future smart munitions capable of hitting targets at ranges beyond line of sight (BLOS/NLOS).
- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW): At some point, the MGCS arsenal is expected to include a Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). DEWs are systems that emit highly focused energy to damage or destroy enemy targets, such as drones or missiles1.
- Hypersonic Guided Effect: This has been discussed as a potential anti-tank weapon for the MGCS since 2019. The hypersonic projectile is seen as a means of overcoming reactive armor, as well as Active Protection Systems (APSs).
Note: these are the specifications known so far and may be subject to change *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***