French vision for the MGCS - Future european Combat Vehicles destroying the Russian T-14 Armata tanks

Very interesting video, about French vision for the future battlefield. On video we can see some artist models on the French vision for the MGCS, and its action against Russian T-14 Armata MBT, which one showed twise.

 

Three different versions of MGCS:

• Canon which shows a large caliber coax which seem to can provide indirect fire.

• C² : Command and Control which seem to have a 40mm

• Missile: Same autocanon as a C², 6 missiles ready and no RCWS

The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) project, to be implemented under German leadership, is to replace the German Leopard 2 main battle tanks and the French Leclerc main battle tanks from the mid-2030s.

T-14 Armata MBTs of opposite force.

Italy might join MGCS, Italian Undersecretary for Defence says

Rome, 16 June 2020 – According to the Italian Undersecretary for Defence Giulio Calvisi, Italy might join the MGS (Main Ground Combat System) programme. “During recent bilateral talks with the German counterpart, the possibility of allowing Italy to participate in the so-called Main Ground Combat System programme, which aims at the development of a new main battle tank, emerged,” Calvisi said, underlining that the Ministry of Defence is committed to identifying further possible solutions should the project being currently underway by the CIO (Consorzio Iveco DV-Oto Melara) would not meet expectations. The CIO received a development contract worth 35 million Euro for the Mid-Life Update of the Ariete MBT, that will bring to the delivery of three prototypes. The Ariete MBT is currently in service with three tank regiments in the Italian Army, these units fielding a total of 123 tanks. According to the 2019 Army Report the current availability of the Ariete MBT is around 40%.

The upgrade will include the adoption of a new 1,500 hp powerpack, replacing the current one which provides only 1,300 hp, which will bring with it the upgrade of the ZF transmission, mobility on soft terrains being increased thanks to the adoption of new tracks, which increased width will allow decreasing the specific ground pressure, a requirement based on lessons learned i.e. in Iraq, where the Ariete was fitted with the heavier add-on kit available at that time (see the opening photo). Both the commander’s and the gunner’s optronics will be replaced by new generation systems, derived from those adopted on the Centauro II armoured car, the former receiving an Attila D (for Digital) panoramic sight while the latter will get a 3rd Gen Tilde B thermal sight. Also safety will be improved thanks to the replacement of hydraulics actuators with electric ones in the turret. The upgrade will also include the adoption of Larimart’s UIS-379 D Digital Intercom system in place of the old analog one and the fitting for an AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld Radio with SATCOM capability. Should the prototypes performances meet the MoD requirements, the plan is to upgrade 125 more Ariete MBTs to cover the needs of the three regiments and of the Cavalry School.

Should this fail, and should the option to joint the Franco-German MGCS team prove to be not viable, “alternative options are being evaluated in close synergy with the industrial sector; in particular, research is being carried out on possible strategic partners in order to propose a cooperative European project,” Calvisi answered the Defence Commission on 16 June during the Question Time, following his statement on the protection of the national Defence Industry sector.

The search for partners in the MBT field might well go beyond European borders; in a recent document published by the Italian Army a section was dedicated to the “strengthening of the Italian-Israel cooperation”, and it mentioned specifically a cooperation aimed at improving the performances of the respective national armoured platforms, “extending it to possible future commmon projects, such as that of Main Battle Tanks”. The strengthening of the relationship with the US Army as far as new capabilities developments are concerned has also been recently mentioned.

Although a partnership with European nations, with whom chances of conducting combined operations within the NATO or the European Union frameworks is higher, remains the best option, Italy is looking at 360° for the future of its armoured corps main combat asset.

Franco-German agreement on the new MGCS main battle tank signed

The Federal Ministry of Defense announced the signing of two agreements on the future heavy land combat system between Germany and France at noon.

Franco-German KNDS Group at EUROSATORY-2018 unveiled this Leopard 2/Leclerc hybrid MBT

“The Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) project, to be implemented under German leadership, is to replace the German Leopard 2 main battle tanks and the French Leclerc main battle tanks from the mid-2030s. With the project, Germany and France are sending an important signal for European cooperation in defense policy, ”said the Ministry of Defense in today's communication. “Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and her French counterpart Florence Parly have signed a framework agreement that sets out the project organization and management structures. Due to the corona situation, the ministers could not meet to sign together.”

The Leopard 2 and Leclerc main battle tanks, which were introduced in the German and French armed forces, were designed in the 1980s and have experienced extensive increases in combat value since then. Since these main battle tanks are to be replaced by 2035, Germany and France launched the joint MGCS project in 2012. The project is divided into five major phases: analysis of operational needs, concept study, development and technological capability verification, integration and system demonstration, and ultimately the production of the system. The first two phases have already been successfully completed. However, a binationally coordinated prioritization of individual requirements (high level requirements) has so far been lacking.

“Both countries should benefit equally from the cooperation, which is why the contracts to be concluded are based on 50 percent financing between Germany and France. In addition, both nations should be granted sufficient intellectual property rights for the future intended use of the work results, ”the Ministry of Defense writes about the content of the agreement. “The ministers therefore also signed an Implementing Arrangement 1, which forms the basis for the commissioning of a system architecture definition study. The budget committee of the German Bundestag has only recently cleared the way for the commissioning of this two-year study. Here, too, Germany and France share the costs. The system architecture is a prerequisite for the development of a technology demonstrator with which the German and French requirements for the MGCS can be checked. ”