Germany and European nations initiate MARTE project to develop future main battle tank.

According to information published by KNDS on July 1, 2025, the European defense industry has marked a significant milestone with the formal launch of Project MARTE (Main ARmoured Tank of Europe), a forward-looking initiative to design and develop a next-generation Main Battle Tank (MBT) system. Coordinated by MARTE ARGE GbR, a joint venture between KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co.KG and Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH, the project aims to consolidate European capabilities in armored warfare and reinforce strategic defense autonomy across the continent. The project was officially launched following the signature of a €20 million grant agreement with the European Commission under the European Defence Fund.
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European defense companies unite under MARTE project to design the next generation of main battle tanks.  (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

Project MARTE (Main ARmoured Tank of Europe) represents a strategic and unified European response to the pressing need for a future-proof MBT system. It aims to conduct comprehensive study and design activities to develop an advanced armored platform capable of countering evolving threats and adapting to the operational needs of tomorrow's battlefield. The project brings together 51 legal entities from 12 countries including 11 EU Member States plus Norway, combining the expertise of leading industrial players, mid-sized companies, research institutions, and innovative SMEs to drive technological innovation and cross-border cooperation.

A key strength of the MARTE project is its high-level institutional support. The MARTE consortium receives strong backing from 11 Ministries of Defense as potential future customers, led by the German MoD. Participating nations include Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, and Sweden. This broad coalition underlines Europe's shared commitment to strengthening defense integration and increasing strategic autonomy amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. MARTE is seen as a long-term investment in Europe's defense capabilities and a pillar for future interoperability among its armed forces.

Main Battle Tanks continue to be a cornerstone of land combat operations for European armies. Despite the rise of new warfare technologies, tanks remain essential for achieving breakthrough effects, controlling contested terrain, and protecting mechanized formations. The war in Ukraine has provided a sobering confirmation of this reality, demonstrating that heavy armor is not obsolete but critically needed in high-intensity conflicts. Battlefield experience has shown that modern MBTs equipped with advanced protection systems, superior sensors, and coordinated firepower are indispensable assets in conventional warfare scenarios.

Across Europe, many armed forces are urgently seeking to replace or upgrade aging MBT fleets based on legacy platforms like the Leopard 2, Challenger 2, and various Soviet-era designs. These vehicles, while upgraded over time, increasingly struggle to meet the challenges of modern threats including precision-guided munitions, drones, and electronic warfare. Operational doctrines now demand highly mobile, digitally integrated, and survivable armored platforms capable of network-centric operations and seamless interoperability with allied forces. The MARTE project directly addresses these needs by aiming to deliver a next-generation European MBT built on cutting-edge technologies and operational insights from ongoing conflicts.

The core of the project is organized around five technical work packages, each managed by a top-tier European defense company: KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall Landsysteme from Germany, Leonardo from Italy, Indra Sistemas from Spain, and SAAB from Sweden. These packages will address key domains such as firepower, protection, situational awareness, mobility, and command architecture. Project coordination is managed by MARTE ARGE with the support of the consulting firm Erdyn, ensuring effective governance and integration across all partners.

Following its official start on December 1, 2024, the MARTE project held a successful kick-off meeting in Stockholm on December 5 and 6, 2024. This event brought together all industrial stakeholders and defense authorities involved in the program, setting the stage for a collaborative and ambitious effort to develop Europe’s next standard in armored ground combat. By integrating disruptive technologies, fostering cross-border cooperation, and responding directly to lessons learned from modern warfare, MARTE is set to redefine the future of European armored capabilities.