New Era for Armored Warfare: KNDS, Rheinmetall, and Thales Advance Next-Gen Tank Development

Key Takeaways

KNDS, Rheinmetall, and Thales have established a joint venture for a new main battle tank, marking a significant step in French-German defense collaboration.
The program aims to develop the Main Ground Combat System to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks by 2040, with interim upgrades proposed for aging models.
The project will be headquartered in Cologne, Germany, with a 50/50 work share between France and Germany, although the joint venture is currently limited to these two nations.

PARIS — Armored-vehicle manufacturers KNDS and Rheinmetall, alongside defense-electronics firm Thales, have formalized their collaboration through a shareholder agreement to establish a new project company focused on developing a next-generation main battle tank for Germany and France. Signed in Paris on January 23, this agreement enables them to move past previous delays caused by ongoing negotiations among the parties involved. Each company will hold a 25% stake in the newly formed entity, based in Cologne, Germany.

Initially announced nine months prior, the joint venture will ensure a 50/50 workload division between Germany and France, though the distribution of responsibilities among the partners has presented some complexity, according to Emmanuel Chiva from the French armament agency DGA.

The planned tank, referred to as the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), is intended to supersede the current Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks in service with the respective armed forces of Germany and France. However, with timelines projected to encounter disruptions, KNDS and Rheinmetall have put forth alternative tank proposals and enhancement options to support aging fleets until the MGCS is ready.

Nicolas Chamussy, CEO of KNDS France, emphasized the significance of the MGCS, describing it as a product of the unique expertise of both nations and a vital initiative for Europe’s independent capabilities in land combat systems. Although the companies target a 2040 launch for the MGCS, the French Ministry of Armed Forces has indicated that the new tank should replace France’s Leclerc by 2035.

The emerging market for main battle tanks is substantial, with KNDS projecting demand for hundreds of units over the next decade and a half, well before the MGCS debuts. At the Eurosatory defense exhibition last year, the company showcased enhancements to the Leopard 2 and the Leclerc Evolution, seeking immediate interest from potential operators. Moreover, Rheinmetall presented the KF51 tank equipped with an uncrewed turret, underscoring how the MGCS project is progressively falling behind schedule.

The evolving battlefield dynamics, particularly the influence of drones, have necessitated adaptations in heavy armor design. In September, Rheinmetall introduced an upgraded Challenger battle tank, emphasizing enhanced survivability through advancements such as an upgraded 120 mm smoothbore cannon and improved armor.

While KNDS Deutschland continues to manufacture the Leopard 2, with recent orders from several European countries, KNDS France last produced the Leclerc in 2008 but remains committed to upgrading existing units for the French army. Rheinmetall has recently opened a new tank production facility in Hungary, plans to collaborate with Leonardo in Italy, and has proposed establishing a manufacturing site in Ukraine capable of producing up to 400 KF51 tanks annually.

The newly established MGCS project company will act as the main contractor for the upcoming phases, collaborating with the German federal office overseeing Bundeswehr equipment procurement. The firm is responsible for establishing the fundamental technological frameworks of the future tank system, which will be developed across eight key areas. The project will encompass both a heavy tank and unmanned armored vehicles equipped with innovative weaponry.

While countries such as Italy and the Netherlands have shown interest in the program, MGCS remains a joint Franco-German endeavor for the time being. KNDS has indicated that future integration of additional partners will only be considered once the project is opened to broader participation from other nations.

The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.