Main Ground Combat System

The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is a project by France and Germany since 2012 to replace their currently deployed Leclerc and Leopard 2 main battle tanks (MBTs).[2][3][4] In 2016, the program was in the concept phase which was projected to be completed by 2017.[5]

Main Ground Combat System
Industrial showcase combining the Leopard 2s hull and Leclercs turret; related to the MGCS effort yet not representative of its final design
TypeMain battle tank, system of systems
Place of originGermany
France
Production history
DesignerKrauss-Maffei Wegmann

Nexter Systems

Rheinmetall[1]
Produced2035 (projected)

At the 2016 Eurosatory, Rheinmetall presented the MBT Advanced Technology Demonstrator on the basis of a Leopard 2A4 Evolution concept.[6] At the 2018 Eurosatory, KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS) unveiled the "European Main Battle Tank" (E-MBT), a hybrid combining the hull of a Leopard 2A7 with the lighter, two-man turret of a Leclerc.[7] The previously independent companies KMW and Nexter intended to demonstrate that both could cooperate and jointly develop a next generation tank.[8]

The contract for the first part of the System Architecture Definition Study was signed in May 2020 by the German armed forces' procurement office on behalf of both nations to a consortium consisting of Rheinmetall, Nexter and KMW (KNDS),[9] with the aim of assessing different aspects of the programme such as interoperability with national systems, harmonising requirements and defining a multi-platform architecture for the future MGCS. The study is to be conducted over 18 months. The workshare during this phase is split between French and German companies.[10]

The System Architecture Definition Study is part of the Technology Demonstration Phase (TDP), which is to be completed by 2024 and is to be followed by the overall system demonstrator phase (GSDP) until 2028, after which initial production and testing is to occur.[10]

Deployment of the new vehicles and systems is scheduled for 2035, with full operational capability to be achieved by 2040.[11]

Design

According to the French-German state research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL), MGCS is to result in a future land warfare system which may include unmanned, including autonomous ground and aerial vehicles, in addition to more traditional manned assets in the light, medium or heavy weight class as well as associated weaponry. As such, the aim of the MGCS development is to produce a means to deliver a set of capabilities currently provided by main battle tanks - yet not necessarily a typical "single platform" MBT; and requires the development of new tactics and collaborative combat capabilities in addition to new vehicles.[12]

One precondition for a new tank may be the development of a new main cannon with better performance. German defence company Rheinmetall showcased a new 130 mm tank cannon at the Eurosatory military trade fair in 2016,[13] the Rheinmetall Rh-130 L/51. It is designed to offer better performance than the current Rh-120 L/55 introduced with the Leopard 2A6[5]

EMBT

For KNDS' exhibition at Eurosatory, the hull, engine and entire chassis of a Leopard 2A7 which can carry 68 tons were modified to host the lighter, more compact, autoloader-equipped turret of the Leclerc.[14]

According to Nexter's head of tracked and armor programs, Francois Groshany, the benefit of the tank is the combination of the "very high capability" Leopard 2 chassis with the lighter Leclerc turret.[15] The 2-man Leclerc turret is approximately 6 tons lighter than the 3-man Leopard 2 turret. The lower weight of the vehicle enables it to traverse bridges that might not be able to support heavier tanks.[16] Full-scale development of the tank could be launched if export customers are found.[15]

Users

The French media has reported Italian and Polish ministries of defence have voiced their interest in joining the project and hoped to see its inclusion in the EU's PESCO program and other forms of EU defence funding.[17][18]

On January 4, 2020 Poland was reported to have been excluded from the project,[19] while a month later French President Emmanuel Macron was reported to "appear open" towards a Polish participation in MGCS during a state visit.[20] Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem is interested in producing a version of the K2 Black Panther tank in Poland under license from 2023 for the "Wilk" programme, replacing T-72s and PT-91s.[21][22]

The Spanish Army announced its interest in replacing its fleet of Leopard 2E MBTs with the MGCS once available.[23]

Project members

Potential members or users
  •  Italy: During recent bilateral talks with the German counterpart, the possibility of allowing Italy to participate in the Main Ground Combat System programme, which aims at the development of a new main battle tank, emerged,” Italian Undersecretary for Defence Giulio Calvisi said.[24] Later, Italy offered participation in its own development to Poland, and potentially to Spain.[25]
  •  Netherlands
  •  Spain[23]

Other members
  •  Poland: On January 4, 2020 Poland was reported to have been excluded from the project. [19]
  •  United Kingdom: Early in 2021, the UK has entered talks to be allowed into the project as an observer, looking into options for the future replacement of their Challenger 2 force. [26]
  •  Sweden: On October 15, 2021 Sweden asked to be included in the project as an observer. [27]

See also

References
  1. Heiming, Gerhard (16 March 2020). "MGCS – Studien für die Nachfolge der derzeitigen Kampfpanzergeneration". Europäische Sicherheit und Technik (in German). Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  2. "Design concepts emerge for possible new French–German Main Ground Combat System - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  3. "Europe creates its supertank - The Siver Week". sivweek.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  4. http://www.isl.eu/documents/flyers/EN/isl_MGCS_EN_nm.pdf
  5. Majumdar, Dave (18 February 2016). "Get Ready, Russia: This European Power Has Plans For a Lethal New Tank". nationalinterest.org. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  6. Pike, John. "Leopard 3". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  7. Peck, Michael (4 July 2018). "European Main Battle Tank: France and Germany's New Joint Super Weapon?". The National Interest. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  8. "France and Germany: on the right tank tracks?". IISS. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  9. "KMW, Nexter and Rheinmetall to Start Initial MGCS Architecture Study". DefenseWorld.net. DefenseWorld.net. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  10. Geiger, Waldemar (2020-05-22). "Deutsch-französische Panzerindustrie mit Auftrag für erste MGCS-Studie erteilt". ESUT - Europäische Sicherheit & Technik. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  11. "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  12. "ISL's Research and Technology serving the future French-German Main Ground Combat System" (PDF). 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  13. "Rheinmetall Ups Tank Firepower with new 130mm Gun - Defense Update". defense-update.com. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  14. GUILLEMIN, Matthias. "NEXTER Group - KNDS presents its first joint product exclusively at Eurosatory". www.nexter-group.fr. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  15. Martin, Sebastian Sprenger, Jeff (11 June 2018). "French and German armor makers test the waters with a 'Euro-tank'". Defense News.
  16. "Eurosatory 2018: KNDS presents joint Franco-German tank demonstrator - Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  17. "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  18. "Vers un MGCS intégré à la CSP ?". 19 August 2019.
  19. https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2020/01/04/germany-and-france-exclude-poland-from-military-projects/
  20. "Macron torn between Poland and Putin". POLITICO. 2020-02-04. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  21. "Hyundai Rotem favored to land $9 bil. Tank deal with Poland". 17 January 2020.
  22. "South Korea could sign a deal with Poland for the sale of 800 K2 main battle tanks | January 2020 Global Defense Security army news industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year".
  23. Infodefensa.com, Revista Defensa (2019-09-05). "El Ejército español apuesta por el futuro carro de combate europeo - Noticias Infodefensa España". Infodefensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2019-09-11.
  24. admin (2020-06-21). "Italy Might Join French German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) Project". MilitaryLeak. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  25. "Italy Is Looking for Partners for The Main Battle Tank". C4 Defence. 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  26. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/01/11/british-military-looks-to-the-eurotank-as-it-weighs-its-hardware-options/
  27. "The French Chief of Defence on France's Partnership with Sweden". Folk och Försvar (in Swedish). Retrieved 2021-11-21.
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