Germany, France reach deal on MGCS tank development

Berlin and Paris have reached a “breakthrough” on how to develop a planned next-generation tank known as the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) and split up tasks between the two nations, the defense ministers of both countries said on Friday, Report informs via foreign media.

“This is more than a milestone, it is a historic moment”, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, speaking alongside his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu.

The tank, which is supposed to replace Germany’s legacy Leopard and France’s Leclerc systems, is the second major arms industry project between the two countries alongside their ambitions to build a next-generation fighter jet known as FCAS.

The agreement sealed on Friday includes an understanding to equally split up industrial volumes between the two countries, Pistorius said, adding that a formal document to kick off the first development phase will be signed in Paris on April 26.