France and Germany have firmed up plans to jointly develop a next-generation battle tank equipped with artificial intelligence and laser technology, AFP reports.
During a ceremony in Paris, the defense ministers of France and Germany, Sebastian Lecornu and Boris Pistorius, signed a memorandum of understanding that seals a 50-50 split in the industrial production of the advanced battle tank, dubbed the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).
The push to move forward on the project comes at a time when Berlin and Paris are
In 2017, Germany and France agreed to jointly develop a next-generation battle tank as a successor to the French Leclerc and German Leopard tanks, with development to begin in 2040.
But plans for the tank have faced delays amid rivalry between French and German industrial companies and differing priorities in Berlin and Paris.
In March, the two ministers announced in Berlin that they had succeeded in unblocking the stalled project by agreeing how the work would be divided between the two countries.
"Today's signing is a real milestone," Pistorius said.
"This is not the tank of the future, but the future of the tank," Lecornu added.
The tank system will feature state-of-the-art technology that could usher in a new era in land warfare.
The MGCS will not consist of just one armored fighting vehicle, but a system of manned and unmanned vehicles. It will include drones for tank protection, as well as the use of artificial intelligence and laser technology.
Funded equally by Paris and Berlin and managed by a German manager, the project was initially led by defense industry firm KNDS, a merger between France's Nexter and Germany's KMW.
However, the delicate balance was upset when German company Rheinmetall joined the project in 2019.
Friday's agreement identifies the manufacturers that will be responsible for key components of the tank systems, including platforms, turrets, and guns.
Talks have begun with the manufacturers to develop an initial demonstrator, a sort of preliminary prototype.
"The goal is to have contracts in place by the end of the year, which is very ambitious," Pistorius said.
With countries such as Italy keen to join, Pistorius said the project would be open to partners, "but we already have to draw up contracts" between French and German manufacturers. / BGNES
