• Land Warfare

  Rheinmetall wins $145 million contract for subsystems to replace howitzers sent to Ukraine

  2nd April 2024

  The Panzerhaubitze 2000 (PzH 2000) was developed in the mid-1980s to meet a German Army requirement to replace its M109 SPHs and 185 were delivered. Export orders from Greece (24), Italy (70, of which 68 were produced locally) and the Netherlands (57) increased production to more than 330 systems.

• Naval Warfare

  Leonardo fires up small calibre naval gun development as Italy nears first Lionfish X-Gun handover

  19th April 2024

  Alongside progress on its Lionfish contracts, Leonardo emphasised its shift in focus from traditional larger calibre systems toward smaller calibre solutions, epitomised by the X-Gun’s inception in 2017.

• Land Warfare

  Franco-German next-generation tank project moves forward

  30th April 2024

  The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) programme was initiated in June 2018 when France and Germany signed a Letter of Intent to develop a common next-generation main battle tank (MBT) platform.

• Land Warfare

  French Army to receive 109 CAESAR MkII howitzers from 2026

  3rd February 2024

  Nexter’s Caesar (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) 6x6, a 155mm/52cal weapon mounted on a Renault Trucks Defense 6x6 Sherpa chassis,

• Land Warfare

  Malaysian Army self-propelled howitzer acquisition programme faces a blurry future

  27th February 2024

  The schedule, number of platforms and total estimated cost of the Malaysian Army’s 155mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) acquisition programme has remained undefined despite the procurement effort having been announced back in the 2010s.

• Land Warfare

  Europe’s Defence Future: The Strategic Importance of the MGCS Project (Opinion)

  28th May 2024

  The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) project, initiated by Germany and France in 2018, symbolises a transformative step forward in European defence capabilities.

• Land Warfare

  New bridges ordered for British Army

  26th January 2024

  The UK MoD has awarded a contract to provide replacements for the Royal Engineers' General Support Bridge systems as part of project Tyro.

• Land Warfare

  World Defense Show 2024: Texelis looks to new Celeris customers as buyers prove the concept

  7th February 2024

  French mobility engineering company Texelis, the makers of the rolling chassis for the Serval 4x4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle, has launched a standalone product called Celeris.

• Land Warfare

  European MBT programmes make tracks and try to find a path forward

  8th July 2024

  European MBT programmes over the next decade or two could result in orders up to US$10 billion with orders occurring and plans for purchases predicted to refresh ageing fleets.

• Land Warfare

  Four issues the armoured vehicle industry needs to tackle

  18th June 2024

  As evident at Eurosatory 2024, the procurement of armoured vehicles is progressing, but some projects have stalled or been abandoned due to the fluid geopolitical and conflict landscape. Buyers, manufacturers and operators have been reassessing their needs, desires and capabilities amid tightening budgets and escalating demands.

• Land Warfare

  New French-Belgian 4x4 reconnaissance vehicle to enter service in 2030

  7th December 2023

  The Véhicule Blindé d’Aide à l’Engagement (VBAE) will replace older French vehicles and provide a new capability for Belgium.

• Land Warfare

  Estonian UGV trial demonstrates work done and work to be done

  22nd December 2023

  Eleven companies and 20 countries took part in a major two-day trial of large UGVs at the Estonian Military Academy in late June to evaluate the technology capabilities and produce a report on the event's findings.

• Land Warfare

  Texelis goes alone as it unveils Celeris

  28th November 2023

  Texelis and Nexter, a KNDS company, manufacture the Serval 4x4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle together but Texelis has started selling the rolling chassis of the vehicle as a separate system.

• Land Warfare

  Leopard MBT: Alpha beast finally gets to work after a long slumber (updated 2024)

  14th May 2024

  Leopard MBTs are German-made main battle tanks that have been in service since the Cold War and have undergone several upgrades to remain competitive in modern warfare. This article traces the history and development of the Leopard 1 and 2, its variants, its operational service and its future prospects.

• Defence Notes

  Ireland commits to major equipment procurement schedules

  23rd November 2023

  The Irish Defence Forces has a range of challenges to overcome including discontent in sections of the forces, a need for cultural change, pay rates and equipment shortfalls. An implementation plan released 21 November has, however, provided projected timelines for change and procurement.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus (Czech Republic)

  Programme Background The Czech government first announced its intention to purchase the Nexter TITUS platform in 2015.  However, a contract did not materialise until July ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Titus

  While there has been no direct confirmation that Nexter has sold the Titus to Saudi Arabia, it has been confirmed that Nexter has delivered CAESAR ...

• Tanks

  Leclerc Upgrade (UAE)

  Programme Background The UAE MoD has not disclosed any intention to modernise or replace its Leclerc MBTs, but an unconfirmed report published by the Asian Defence ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  VBMR-L Serval (Additional Batches)

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  VBMR-L Serval (Second Batch)

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• Loitering munitions

  Larinae [France]

  Programme Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated in a press conference in May 2022 that the Direction Générale de l'Armement ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI (Qatar)

  Programme Background The VBCI-2 was selected in preference to a competing offer comprising Patria's AMV 8x8 equipped with a Lockheed Martin turret. However, at the ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4, Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  VBMR-L Serval (First Batch)

  Programme Background The French Army has launched several projects to modernise its equipment and C4I capabilities as part of its Scorpion modernisation programme. These projects ...

• Loitering munitions

  Colibri [France]

  Programme Background Origins French Ministry of Armed Forces spokesperson Hervé Grandjean stated in a press conference in May 2022 that the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VAB Mk3 6X6 APC

  Based on the number of VAB Mk IIIs estimated to have been delivered to Saudi Arabia between 2016 and 2018, this forecast expects at least ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  Belgium Griffon Light Common Armoured Vehicle Platform

  Programme Background In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  8x8 IFV [Greece]

  Programme Background The Greek Army is believed to operate a vast inventory of tracked APCs numbering more than 2,600 vehicles. This consists of legacy Cold ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon (France)

  Programme Background Development of the Griffon commenced in 2014 when the consortium of Arquus, Nexter and Thales was awarded a development contract to design the ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  EBRC Jaguar (France)

  Programme Background Requirement Initially, the French government required 248 Jaguars. However, this requirement quickly rose to 300 platforms, 50% of which are set to be ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  8x8 IFV [Qatar]

  Programme Background Qatar is believed to require a new 8x8 armoured vehicle platform to replace a range of legacy wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles currently ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI-2

  Nexter unveiled the VBCI-2 IFV, the latest evolution of its 8x8 VBCI infantry fighting vehicle, at DSEI 2015 in London. Using company funds, Nexter has built ...

• Tanks

  EMBT

  KNDS (KMW + NEXTER Defense Systems) presented its first joint product, the EMBT (European Main Battle Tank) demonstrator, at the June 2018 Eurosatory defence exhibition. The EMBT mounts ...

• Land: RWS

  ARX 20

  The ARX 20 was developed by Nexter to meet demand for a vehicle-mounted RWS that offers more firepower than an RWS armed with a 12.7mm ...

• Mine-protected vehicles

  Aravis

  Nexter unveiled its 12.5t Aravis at Eurosatory 2008, and in April 2009, the company received a launch order for 15 vehicles to equip French Army ...

• Naval guns

  Narwhal

  Narwhal is a 20mm, remotely operated naval gun turret by Nexter Systems. It utilises Nexter Systems' M621/M693 cannons, also deployed on helicopters. Narwhal can be ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  TITUS

  Nexter Systems unveiled the Tactical Infantry Transport & Utility System (TITUS) 6x6 modular armoured vehicle at DSEI 2013. TITUS was developed for the export market ...

• Guided munitions

  Bonus

  The Bofors 155 Bonus is a guided artillery round developed as a joint initiative between Bofors and Nexter.

• Self-propelled guns

  RapidFire

  Thales unveiled the RapidFire, intended to protect both mobile forces and key assets/fixed points, at the Eurosatory 2012 exhibition. The system is designed to exploit ...

• Military UGVs

  Ultro

  Nexter Robotic's Ultro is a 4x4 multi-mission tactical robot designed as a multi-role platform UGV.  100% electric and capable of silent running, the Ultro is ...

• Self-propelled guns

  Caesar 6x6 MkII + 8x8

  Nexter’s Caesar (CAmion Equipé d’un Système d’ARtillerie) is a self-propelled 155mm/52cal artillery mounted available on either a 6x6 or 8x8 truck chassis. The configuration was chosen to provide ...

• Land: RWS

  Unmanned T40

  Nexter is developing an unmanned variant of its T40 two-man turret to meet the growing demand for these types of systems. Like the standard T40, ...

• Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

  ERC 90 Sagaie

  The ERC 90 (Engin à Roues, Canon de 90mm) is a 6x6 90mm-armed armoured car developed as a private venture by Nexter in 1975-78. The vehicle was exported to ...

• Tanks

  Leclerc

  The 120mm-armed Leclerc MBT was developed in the 1980s to meet a French Army requirement with the first of 406 production tanks delivered in 1992 ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI

  Nexter developed the VBCI to meet a French Army requirement for an infantry fighting vehicle to replace the tracked AMX-10P. The 8x8 design was specified ...

• Land: manned turrets

  Dragar

  The Dragar (known as the Tarask by the French Army) is a one-man turret developed by Nexter for the French Army's VBCI IFV and for ...