Germany Quitting Franco-German Tank Project, Says Head of French Armed Forces
France says the project will continue only as technology work after repeated disputes over requirements, funding and work-share stalled the tank program.
- General Mandon told the National Assembly on Thursday that Germany has withdrawn from the Main Ground Combat System , the programme intended to replace the Leopard and Leclerc battle tanks.
- Launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, the programme faltered due to disagreements over requirements and funding, while industrial deadlock between Dassault and Airbus further stalled progress.
- The French army stated industrial proposals were "incompatible with the replacement of current tanks, necessary around the horizon of 2037," and the French Senate warned current tanks cannot remain in service beyond 2038.
- France plans to upgrade 200 Leclercs to the XLR standard by 2035, while Germany is proceeding independently with an interim heavy tank, often called the Leopard 3, expected in the early 2030s.
- Officials describe remaining cooperation as limited to "platform-independent technology," focusing on connectivity and automation, as Paris is now describing what remains as a technology project.
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During his hearing in the Defence Committee, the Chief of Staff of the Army announced the release from Berlin of the Franco-German tank project of the future. Yet, a few hours later, Fabien Mandon went back on his remarks, explaining that the project was not abandoned but simply out of date.
Will the failure of the Franco-German tank project be the last nail in the coffin of the myth of the European Union's "motor" couple, which has been affecting national interests for almost thirty years?
DECRYPTAGE - During his hearing before the Defence Committee of the National Assembly, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Mandon, acknowledged the poor outcome of Franco-German cooperation on the MGCS project.
There's nothing more going on between Berlin and Paris about the MGCS. This future tank project has lead in the wing. Magali Barthes takes stock of the situation. - "Incessant delays": a confused situation between Germany and France on the future tank project (International).
The tank of the future divides France and Germany. After the failure of the Fcas common hunt, also stops the ambition to build together the armored to replace the Leclerc...
After the joint fighter jet, Europe's large tank plan has now also failed. Germany and France are driving their own solutions forward. The real price of this failure is visible in the armies of the 2030s.
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