The time of tanks is not over yet: Germany and France will develop a promising MGCS tank
German and French companies have signed an agreement to establish the MGCS Project Company, which will develop and manufacture a new generation European Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) tank.
Here's What We Know
According to a press release from KNDS, the joint venture was formed by KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Thales. MGCS Project Company GmbH will be headquartered in Cologne, Germany. The agreement was signed in Paris with the participation of French and German Defence Ministers Sébastien Lecorne and Boris Pistorius.
The newly created company will act as the prime contractor for the next phase of the MGCS programme, developing the final tank concept and its key technological components. The company will be equally owned by the parties, with 50% German and 50% French participation.
Technology demonstrator for the MGCS project's advanced tank. Illustration: KNDS
The MGCS project was launched in 2017 to replace the Leopard 2 and Leclerc main battle tanks. The programme plans to develop a universal platform on the basis of which, in addition to the tank, artillery systems and heavy armoured personnel carriers will be created.
At the Eurosatory exhibition in 2022, the MGCS technology demonstrator was presented, which, although not a prototype, demonstrates the concept of the future combat vehicle.
The first combat vehicle under the project is planned to be produced in 2035.
Source: KNDS
