Next generation main battle tank10/3/2023 ![]() It favors something that looks more like the tanks in service today. ![]() Germany, on the other hand, is closer to Europe’s Eastern Flank where a conventional confrontation with Russia might occur. Strategically, France sees the next tank as a smaller and more agile vehicle than those traditionally produced - one that has the firepower of a traditional tank, but can move faster across multiple terrains both in Europe and overseas, where France is active in out-of-area operations. However, different strategic visions from the two countries on the future of land warfare and the participation of Rheinmetall in the program, as desired by Berlin, seem to have changed the situation. The MGCS vehicle was originally launched as a project between France and Germany in 2012, as both countries looked to replace their Leclerc and Leopard 2 heavy tanks, through a joint venture between Nexter and KMW, now known as KNDS. This debate has been shaping what Europe’s next tank should look like. ![]() This has led to a reconsideration of land warfare capabilities, with a growing preference for warfighting systems that combine manned and unmanned capabilities, and enable greater interconnectivity across platforms. But, as fewer troops are deployed in favor of more unmanned technology, and as future battles shift to other domains including cyber and space, heavy tanks are expected to play a lesser role. Historically, land combat has been dominated by large, slow-moving vehicles with advantages in firepower and troop protection. The next European-made heavy tank, the Main Ground Combat System ( MGCS), will help define the future of ground warfare when it enters service around 2040. ![]() A starting point should be advancing Europe’s stalled multinational tank project by involving a new key player: Italy. In practice, this means getting serious about the development of credible capabilities. These two major geopolitical events have reignited calls for greater European independence on defense and security - at least from France and at least in theory. ![]()
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