France and Germany Collaborate to Create MGCS New Combat Platform.

In Munich, on April 29, 2024, KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall AG, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and Thales expressed their enthusiastic support for the recently concluded agreement between the French and German governments on the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), which was reported on by Army Recognition on April 29, 2024.
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The MGCS aims to replace current main battle tanks, such as the French Leclerc and the German Leopard 2, by integrating advanced and innovative technologies. (Picture source: KNDS)

This support expressed by the various project stakeholders follows an agreement signed between the French Minister of Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, and his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius. This agreement took place on April 26, 2024, in Paris.

The MGCS aims to replace current main battle tanks, such as the French Leclerc and the German Leopard 2, by integrating advanced and innovative technologies. This new ground combat system, which will include features such as networked operations management and autonomous and automated capabilities, is designed to excel in high-intensity combat scenarios through its technological innovations.

The Franco-German partnership, which began with formal discussions in 2012 and was officially sealed in 2017, represents a significant step in consolidating European defense efforts. It leverages the strengths of several stakeholders, including KNDS, a joint venture between the German manufacturer Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and the French manufacturer Nexter Systems. This collaboration aims not only to enhance military capabilities but also to promote integration within the broader European defense industry.

The envisaged project company, to be established by KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and THALES SIX, will operate in accordance with the spirit of the Franco-German bilateral agreement. Using an innovative "pillar-level" approach, the consortium plans to ensure a fair distribution of responsibilities, with a balanced workload ratio of 50:50 between French and German companies. This distribution will be based on complementary technical expertise and resources of the participating companies.

The program is divided into eight pillars, ranging from chassis development with automated navigation to defense against drones, as well as the creation of a simulation environment and the establishment of an advanced communication and command system. Each pillar will be led by France, Germany, or jointly, depending on their specific areas of expertise.

To effectively implement contracts starting from 2025, the industry is about to commence negotiations for the establishment of the project company. The goal is to facilitate a streamlined and targeted implementation process, leveraging the collective strengths and capabilities of the consortium members.

Distribution of tasks by country. (Picture Source: French MoD)

Defense News April 2024