France and Germany Unveil Plans for New Joint Tank Project
PARIS — In a historic meeting, defense ministers of France and Germany gathered in Paris on Friday to solidify an agreement on the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), a groundbreaking joint tank project.
This agreement marks the beginning of the development of the first phase of the revolutionary armored vehicle, nicknamed the ‘tank of the future,’ with a price tag in the billions of euros.
The cutting-edge battle tank is slated to replace Germany’s Leopard 2 tank and France’s Leclerc, but officials are adamant that it is not simply an upgraded version of the Leopard 2.
German defense minister Boris Pistorius emphasized, “It’s not about making a Leopard 3 or 4, it’s about designing something brand new.”
The tank is expected to feature artificial intelligence and advanced automated systems that may eliminate the need for human operators, according to Pistorius.
Contracts for the manufacturers involved are set to be finalized by the end of the year, a bold timeline announced by the ministers.
The completion of the next-generation tank is projected for 2040, marking a significant advancement in Europe’s defense industry to rival emerging military technologies from countries like India and China.
The MGCS is the second major collaborative arms project between France and Germany, following the development of the FCAS next-generation fighter jet and drone systems.
Germany will take the lead in the MGCS development, while France leads the FCAS creation, with both nations sharing the financial burden of the new tank.
French defense minister Sébastien Lecornu identified KNDS, Rheinmetall, and Thales as the key companies expected to assist in constructing the MGCS.
Despite past disagreements and political tensions between the two countries, Pistorius emphasized that the mutual agreement demonstrates trust amidst the current geopolitical climate.
