Germany, France to step up cooperation on MGCS tank project

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - Germany and France are keen on intensifying cooperation on the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) tank project, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Thursday.

“It is important that we both move forward, take responsibility, but also repeatedly declare our intention: We want the project and we want this project to be a successful project,” Pistorius said at a news conference alongside his French counterpart Sebastian Lecornu at the Evreux-Fauville Air Base.

Pistorius labeled the project as “an important milestone” and pointed out that it would take “almost 20 years” until the MGCS tank is operational.

The MGCS is intended to replace the German-made Leopard tank and the French Leclerc tank.

Germany has the leading role in the project, said Pistorius. It will be determined by December which parts of the tank system, France or Germany, will take the lead.

Lecornu said the example is German-French cooperation on the FCAS European air combat system in which France has the leading role.

Lecornu said the main battle tank project is about a modular system that, in addition to classic battles, should also enable electromagnetic fire, laser fire and networked fighting via artificial intelligence.

It also includes the use of drones to protect the tanks. Both ministers emphasized that the project was open to other partners within a jointly agreed framework.

Italy and the Netherlands have already expressed interest in the project, according to Pistorius.