France, Germany ink deal for next-gen AI-equipped battle tank

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Apr 2024 19:29

"This is not the tank of the future but the future of the tank," remarked French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu during the ceremony.

French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu, right, and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius shake hands after signing an agreement in Paris on Friday, April 26, 2024 (AP)

At a ceremony held in Paris on Friday, France and Germany solidified their military cooperation by agreeing to jointly develop a state-of-the-art battle tank embedded with artificial intelligence (AI) and laser technology.

French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining the objectives, including the equal 50/50 industrial production of the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).

Initially proposed in 2017 as a successor to the French Leclerc and German Leopard tanks, the project encountered obstacles due to divergent industrial interests and strategic priorities. However, recent breakthroughs have revitalized momentum, with ministers hailing the agreement as a "milestone" in shaping the future of military technology.

"This is not the tank of the future but the future of the tank," remarked Lecornu during the ceremony.

Char du futur, futur du char.

Signature avec mon homologue 🇩🇪 Boris Pistorius de l’accord pour lancer la première phase du projet MGCS.

Répartition de la charge industrielle à parts égales pour penser en franco-allemand le futur du combat terrestre. pic.twitter.com/LGja1sE9WW
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) April 26, 2024

The MGCS isn't merely conceptualized as a singular armored vehicle but as a comprehensive system integrating both manned and unmanned components. It boasts drones for defensive purposes alongside cutting-edge AI and laser capabilities, promising a paradigm shift in ground warfare tactics.

Backed by equal investments from Paris and Berlin and overseen by German management, the initiative faces the challenge of balancing interests amidst additional stakeholders. Despite initial setbacks, negotiations have delineated specific manufacturers responsible for pivotal components.

Expressing optimism, Pistorius outlined ambitions to finalize contracts by year-end, signaling a commitment to expedite the project's progress.

Moreover, with expressions of interest from other nations like Italy, the prospect of partnerships remains open, albeit with a primary focus on strengthening agreements between French and German manufacturers.

The agreement comes against the backdrop of recent tensions between the two nations, particularly concerning their differing approaches to supporting Ukraine.