Main Ground Combat System


Main Ground Combat System is a project by France and Germany since 2012 to replace their currently deployed Leclerc Tank and Leopard 2 main battle tanks. In 2016, the program was in the concept phase which was projected to be completed by 2017.
A precondition for the new tank is the development of a new main cannon with better performance. German defence company Rheinmetall joined the program and will develop a new cannon Rheinmetall Rh-130 L / 51 with better performance than the Rheinmetall L/55 cannon which was introduced on the Leopard 2A6. Rheinmetall demonstrated a 130mm L51 at Eurosatory military trade fair in 2016.
The first step in the MGCS program was a Franco-German technology demonstrator, to show that the two countries could jointly develop a next generation tank. At Eurosatory fair in June 2018 in Paris, France, KMW+Nexter Defense Systems unveiled the "European Main Battle Tank", a technology demonstrator main battle tank that combines the hull of a Leopard 2A7 with the lighter, two-man turret of a Leclerc.
Deployment of the new tank is scheduled for 2035.

European Main Battle Tank

The European Main Battle Tank or Enhanced Main Battle Tank , first unveiled by KMW+Nexter Defense Systems at Eurosatory military trade fair, June 11–15, 2018 in Paris, France, is a main battle tank demonstrator which combines the hull of a Leopard 2A7 with the lighter, two-man turret of a Leclerc.

Design

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.
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. 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.

Users

The French media has reported Italian and Polish ministry of defence voiced its interest in joining the project and hoped to see its inclusion in the EU's PESCO program and other forms of EU defence funding. But on January 4, 2020 Poland was excluded from MGCS. On January 20, 2020 the Polish government announced negotiation partnership with Hyundai Rotem to license production K2 Black Panther tanks in Poland from 2023.
The Spanish Army announced its interest in replacing its fleet of Leopard 2E MBTs with the MGCS once available.

Tanks of comparable role, performance and era