Joint venture clears path for Franco-German future tank
The Bundeskartellamt has approved the creation of a joint venture by the KNDS, Rheinmetall, and Thales corporations. They are set to collaboratively design and build the MGCS tank. Here is what it is expected to offer.
Bundeskartellamt announced approval for the creation of a joint venture by KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co KG, KNDS France, Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, and THALES SIX GTS France SAS. The new company, MGCS-Projekt Company GmbH, will be headquartered in Germany and will focus on the development of the modular MGCS tank.
The aim of the new enterprise is to develop a modern tank that will replace the German Leopard 2 and the French Leclerc in the 2040s. The inclusion of Rheinmetall, which has strongly promoted its vision for the successor of Leopard 2 tanks known as the KF-51 Panther, is intriguing.
The company is also vigorously lobbying for the use of its 130 mm calibre gun with a barrel length of 6.4 metres instead of the French 120/140 mm concept known as ASCALON in the MGCS. The kinetic energy of the shells fired from the German 130 mm gun is claimed to be 13 megajoules, which is not a huge leap from 10 megajoules for the latest and longest 120 mm calibre guns. It is worth noting that the situation should be considered differently if this is just the beginning.
It is possible that the MGCS tank programme will face a split similar to the one during the Cold War, which initially resulted in two similar but slightly different tanks, the AMX-30 and the Leopard 1.
MGCS: A modern tank of the future
MGCS, or Main Ground Combat System, is a Franco-German project aimed at creating a modern tank to replace current models like the Leclerc and Leopard 2. The programme, initiated in 2017, faces delays, with its implementation projected for the 2040s. The collaboration between Germany and France also covers the development of other combat platforms.
The MGCS project is divided into eight technological pillars, each coordinated by one of the involved parties. Germany is in charge of the chassis and protection, while France is responsible for aspects such as ammunition and sensors. Joint efforts also aim to integrate the tanks with other combat systems such as drones.
Despite ambitious plans, the MGCS programme is criticised for its slow implementation pace and disputes between French and German companies trying to push through their solutions. This affects the development speed at a time when rapid implementation of new technologies is crucial.
MGCS — A machine considerably lighter than current designs
The new tank will have a weight slightly exceeding 55 tonnes, which is significantly lighter than the latest versions of tanks such as the Leopard 2 and M1A2 Abrams, which can weigh up to 70 tonnes. The key to reducing weight is a lighter, unmanned turret, which interestingly retains a four-man crew despite the use of an autoloader.
The fourth crew member, instead of serving as a loader, will be responsible for controlling a reconnaissance drone and overseeing an additional turret with a 30 mm automatic cannon. This will be used to destroy lighter targets or hunt drones.
A key feature of the new machine, as demonstrated by demonstrators shown at events like the Eurosatory trade show, will include an active defence system and reactive armour placed in critical areas.
