France and Germany sign new MGCS agreement
France and Germany have signed two new agreements for the development of a new innovative Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), to be led by the German armed forces.
The programme seeks to find a replacement for the French Leclerc MBT and the German Leopard 2 MBT (pictured). This is likely to take place in the mid-2030s.
Financing is to be split equally between the two European partners with both receiving sufficient intellectual property rights for any future use of the developments made.
The French and German defence ministers also signed an Implementing Arrangement 1 which sets out the framework for commissioning a two-year system architecture definition study. This process is a perquisite for the development of a technology demonstrator used to check the MGCS.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from European Defence Procurement Special Report
-
![Italian 3.0 Centauro II procurement remains unfinalised]()
Italian 3.0 Centauro II procurement remains unfinalised
As the Italian MoD and the Iveco-Oto Melara (CIO) consortium continue negotiations, details remain undefined of a plan to acquire 40 8×8 Centauro II armoured vehicles …
-
![Serbia wrings extra life out of M-84]()
Serbia wrings extra life out of M-84
The Serbian military formally unveiled its M-84AS-1 MBT earlier this month, as the latest upgrade of a licensed-built version of the venerable T-72M. The M-84AS-1 …
-
![VBL replacement could attract non-French bidders]()
VBL replacement could attract non-French bidders
Although the French Army will soon receive upgraded Arquus (ex-Panhard Defense) VBL 4x4 scout vehicles, in the longer term a new vehicle will be required …
-
![Slovak vehicle procurement faces a blurry future]()
Slovak vehicle procurement faces a blurry future
The new leadership in the Slovak MoD faces a series of hard decisions over many procurement programmes that are expected to change the posture of …
-
![Spanish Army will acquire new sniper rifles]()
Spanish Army will acquire new sniper rifles
The Spanish Army is to procure 27 new semi-automatic sniper rifles, as it continues efforts to strengthen its small arms inventory. The service intends to …
-
![Sweden hits deadlock over new defence spending plans]()
Sweden hits deadlock over new defence spending plans
Cross party political talks in Sweden addressing future defence funding have collapsed, following disagreement over whether additional money should be approved. The Swedish government will …
