Eurosatory 2018: KNDS presents the Enhanced Main Battle Tank


The French-German KNDS group (KMW + NEXTER Defense Systems exhibits its first joint product, the EMBT (European Main Battle Tank), less than three years after being created around KMW and Nexter.


Eurostory 2018 KNDS presents the European Main Battle Tank
The EMBT is a short-term response to the operational need of the market for high-intensity battle tanks (Picture source: Army Recognition)


Nexter designates the new EMT as "Enhanced" Main Battle Tank, while its German partner KMW says "European". So... The hull, engine and entire chassis comes from the Leopard 2 A7 and were modified to host the compact and light turret with automatic loading from the Leclerc. Composed of proven and tested technologies, the EMBT is a short-term response to the operational need of the market for high-intensity battle tanks.

By assembling a chassis, which is certified to MLC70, and a light turret operated by only 2 crew members instead of 3, the EMBT brings together the best in the battle tank state of the art, with an exceptional growth potential (roughly 6 tonnes) which allows to integrate many evolutions. The demonstrator presented on the booth illustrates the progress of the integration of KNDS, whose combined skills make it the legitimate and essential industrial actor of the two Franco-German future programs for the tank (MGCS) and artillery (CIFS).

KMW and Nexter's ranges and know-how will also be showcased on the KNDS stand through the products and systems of each of the two brands, which together constitute a broad and almost complete offering in the land sector.