Franco-German defence group KNDS unveiled a new battle tank on Monday designed to replace France's ageing Leclerc fleet, as delays continue to hamper the two countries' joint next-generation tank programme.
The new tank, named CAPINT, short for "intermediary capability," was presented at the Eurosatory defence exhibition near Paris.
According to KNDS, the vehicle combines a chassis produced by the company's German division with a tank gun manufactured by its French unit.
The company said the platform is intended to strengthen the French Army's capabilities while serving as a bridge to the future Franco-German tank programme.
The unveiling comes as European countries accelerate efforts to boost defence spending and military production amid growing concerns over Russia and uncertainty surrounding long-term U.S. security commitments under President Donald Trump.
However, European defence cooperation has encountered increasing difficulties, with several joint projects facing delays and disagreements.
The launch of CAPINT follows last week's decision by France and Germany to abandon their joint Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter jet programme after months of disputes between Airbus and Dassault Aviation.
The Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) programme was launched in 2017 to develop a next-generation tank that would eventually replace Germany's Leopard 2 and France's Leclerc fleets.
The programme was originally expected to enter service between 2040 and 2045.
However, French officials have acknowledged significant delays. In April, French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin told parliament that the project was running around a decade behind schedule, prompting Paris to launch an interim tank programme.
France's Leclerc tanks are scheduled to leave service by 2038, creating a potential capability gap that CAPINT is intended to fill.
Over the weekend, the chief executive of Rheinmetall, one of the shareholders in the MGCS initiative, said France was considering significant cuts to the programme's funding.
A French government source, however, insisted that the project remains strategically important for both France and Germany, as well as for KNDS.
Meanwhile, Germany has also been pursuing parallel plans since 2025. KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall are developing an interim tank known as the Leopard 2AX, or Leopard 3, as a successor to Germany's current Leopard 2 fleet.
Amid growing demand for military equipment in Europe, KNDS is preparing for a stock market debut through a dual listing in Frankfurt and Paris later this year.
The company hopes rising defence spending and a renewed focus on European military capabilities will provide momentum as it expands its role in the continent's rearmament efforts.
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claim...
Uzbekistan is preparing for one of its hottest weeks of the year, with electricity demand expected to approach a record as temperatures are forecast t...
Britain has moved to target Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and another Iran-linked organisation using new state-threat powers followi...
The United States and Iran have significantly escalated their conflict, exchanging heavy missile and drone strikes across the Gulf region. Iran claims it has once again closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.
Britain has moved to target Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and another Iran-linked organisation using new state-threat powers following a series of antisemitic incidents across the country.
Pakistan on Sunday expressed "deep concern" over the latest escalation in the Middle East following renewed military exchanges between the U.S. and Iran. It urged all sides to exercise restraint and honour commitments made under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are responsible for cyber attacks and hybrid operations linked to Russian intelligence, in a move aimed at countering efforts to destabilise Europe.
The 4th Shusha Global Media Forum will bring together nearly 160 media leaders, experts and officials from 54 countries in Azerbaijan's historic city of Shusha on 13-14 July, to discuss journalism’s role in peacebuilding, restoring public trust and tackling challenges.
The U.S. has launched fresh strikes on Iran after Tehran targeted a container ship and said it had again closed the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also claimed to have expanded attacks on U.S. military facilities across the Gulf.
Typhoon Bavi, the strongest storm to hit the eastern coast of mainland China this year, brought heavy rain, strong winds, flooding and landslides after making landfall in Zhejiang province on Sunday. More than 2.8 million people were evacuated to safety ahead of the storm.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
Qatar is mourning the death of its former ruler, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who has passed away at the age of 74.
Britain has moved to target Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and another Iran-linked organisation using new state-threat powers following a series of antisemitic incidents across the country.
The UK has announced a fresh round of sanctions against individuals and organisations it says are responsible for cyber attacks and hybrid operations linked to Russian intelligence, in a move aimed at countering efforts to destabilise Europe.
A 93-year-old British woman has died after being injured in wildfires that swept through southeastern Spain's Almeria province, regional authorities said, bringing the confirmed death toll to 13 people.
More than 10,000 excess deaths were recorded across 27 European countries during a record-breaking heatwave in late June, with older people accounting for the vast majority of the toll, according to official mortality data.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 27 people and injured 63 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment