The joint tank development project between Germany and France has failed.

Reference News Network, October 12 According to a report by the EFE news agency on October 8, French Chief of Defense Staff Fabien Mondont stated on the 8th that Germany has decided to withdraw from the "Main Ground Combat System" (MGCS) project. This project was jointly initiated by France and Germany in 2017, aiming to develop the next generation of tanks. Four months ago, Germany announced its abandonment of the joint fighter development project under the "Future Combat Air System" (FCAS) framework.

Mondont made these remarks during a committee hearing in the French National Assembly, coinciding with the first day of German President Steinmeier's state visit to France.

Mondont pointed out: "This is not a complete failure, but it is a significant decision made by Germany. Our armies have been working together for years to design this future tank." He also noted that the "principles" of the project remain valid, and the work done so far has "not been in vain."

However, he also acknowledged that from an industrial perspective, "it is not good news."

The new tank was originally scheduled to be in service by 2045, but since its launch in 2017, the project has faced delays and various issues due to the tense relations between Germany and France, particularly regarding disagreements over the distribution of work among the respective manufacturers.

Mondont stated that relevant research will begin next year to design a new tank to replace the current "Leclerc" main battle tank. The "Leclerc" main battle tank is expected to be gradually retired starting in 2038.

Before Germany's withdrawal from the MGCS project, the FCAS project had already been shelved. The FCAS project was also initiated by French President Macron and then German Chancellor Merkel in 2017, aiming to develop a new generation of fighter jets to replace the "Rafale" and "Eurofighter" aircraft, with plans to enter service starting in 2040. Spain is also involved in this project.

According to a report on the website of the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on October 9, following the failure of the Franco-German joint fighter project FCAS, the Franco-German joint tank project has evidently also failed.

Paris and Berlin have attempted to promote the MGCS project over the past few years. In June of this year, Armin Papperger, CEO of the German defense company Rheinmetall, stated that he did not rule out the possibility of France withdrawing from this joint project. However, in Berlin, there are private discussions suggesting that Rheinmetall is actually resisting the MGCS project to promote its own main battle tank development project and partnerships. (Translation/ Wang Qiang Wang Meng)