KNDS Shows New Tank With German Chassis and French Gun at Eurosatory Exhibition
Franco-German group KNDS presented an interim battle tank at the Eurosatory exhibition near Paris on 15 June 2026, one week after France and Germany abandoned their joint FCAS fighter jet programme.
France 24Franco-German defence group KNDS unveiled a new battle tank at the Eurosatory defence industry exhibition near Paris on 15 June 2026. ” KNDS stated the tank aims to strengthen French Army capabilities and will “pave the way” for the Franco-German MGCS programme.
The MGCS was initiated in 2017 to replace Germany’s Leopard 2 and France’s Leclerc tanks, with initial entry into service targeted for 2040 to 2045.
The Leclerc tanks are scheduled to be taken out of service by 2038. In April 2026, French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin told parliament that Paris had decided to launch an “intermediate” tank programme because MGCS was running about 10 years behind schedule. Germany started working on its own intermediate tank plans parallel to MGCS in 2025.
That vehicle, developed by KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall, is called Leopard 2AX or Leopard 3. France and Germany dropped their joint FCAS fighter jet programme one week before the tank unveiling following months of disagreements between Airbus and Dassault Aviation. KNDS is preparing an IPO for a dual-listing in Frankfurt and Paris expected in 2026.
