Berlin, Paris and Rome

Europe arms itself with intelligent battle tanks

Until the MGCS rolls in, further modernization stages of the Leopard-2 are holding the fort. Pictured: The "Enhanced Main Battle Tank" with new turret on Leopard-2 hull, which KMW and Nexter presented as a technology demonstration a few months after Putin's invasion of Ukraine.(Bild: YouTube.com/Nexter)

Putin's invasion of Ukraine has changed the security situation in Europe and the signs are pointing towards armament. Stockpiles of ammunition and combat vehicles are being increased and the arms industry is vying for huge government contracts and funds to develop new weapons. Projects worth billions in which several EU heavyweights will join forces: Berlin, Paris and Rome want to build the tank of the future together. The MGCS is due to roll off the production line from 2035 - but is that soon enough?

The new European super tank called MGCS - Main Ground Combat System - is to be constructed by a Franco-German consortium, KNDS, which has emerged from the French company Nexter and Leopard 2 manufacturer KMW in Germany. Italy is also on board with its armaments group Leonardo, which has formed a strategic alliance with KNDS.