Years of delays raise fresh questions over France and Germany's MGCS tank project

France and Germany may abandon the joint development of the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) due to delays and growing differences.

The 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council on July 17, 2026, shifted focus to ‘platform-independent technologies’ instead of a common next-generation tank.

The MGCS programme, launched in 2017 to succeed France's Leclerc and Germany's Leopard 2 tanks, is now projected for service in the early 2040s.

France has unveiled the CAPINT interim tank programme to bridge its capability gap until MGCS is ready.

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger stated a French withdrawal ‘cannot be ruled out’ but no decision has been taken.