KNDS Unveils Innovative Tank Proposal to Bridge France’s Capability Gap
In a groundbreaking move, KNDS has unveiled a new main battle tank design that combines French and German engineering to address the French Army’s upcoming needs. This development comes as a response to the aging Leclerc tanks, which are nearing the end of their operational lifespan.
Revealed at the Eurosatory defense exhibition, the proposed tank, named Capint, features a turret and gun system developed by KNDS France, mounted on the German Leopard 2 chassis. The turret is unmanned and equipped with a 120mm auto-loader smoothbore gun, with potential upgrades to a 140mm cannon. KNDS aims to deliver these tanks by the 2030s.
With delays in the French-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), expected by the mid-2040s, France seeks an interim solution. Gen. Olivier Coquet of the French Army stated, “We are already working to create what will be the combat of tomorrow,” as reported on Sunday.
Jean-Paul Alary, KNDS CEO, expressed optimism at the defense show, noting, “Maybe the combat of tomorrow, the ambition of MGCS, will come a little bit earlier than the project itself.”
Julien Brunet, KNDS France’s product line manager, outlined plans to present a demonstrator tank by 2030 and commence deliveries in 2035, with operational deployment by 2037. He emphasized that the design incorporates fourth-generation combat system elements, including AI integration and advanced protection systems.
Nicolas Groult, CEO of KNDS France, highlighted the inclusion of robotic wingmen in the design, noting that firing tests were successfully conducted in Portugal in January. “It’s not a concept, it’s not a drawing, it’s something that we are confident that can happen,” Groult said.
The future of the MGCS project remains uncertain, as recent political decisions have led France and Germany to abandon a joint sixth-generation fighter jet development. However, KNDS continues to advance its tank proposal, which includes a crew of three housed in a highly protected citadel with advanced protection systems distributed across the vehicle’s structure.
Brunet noted the potential for domestic production of the Leopard 2 chassis in France, citing existing manufacturing capacity and expertise. “If we need to produce the chassis quickly, the best option is still to produce them in France,” he stated.
KNDS reports successful testing of the Ascalon gun, with over 300 rounds fired, and describes the 120mm cannon as “much more powerful” than standard NATO guns. Additionally, KNDS showcased a potential successor to the Leopard 2 A8, equipped with an unmanned turret and a 120mm Rheinmetall cannon.
