New European tank

Prototype for EUR 125 million

EDF will allocate around EUR 125 million to plan and prepare a technology demonstrators. This is 1 advanced prototype TRL 6 (Technology Readiness Level). The sixth level in a nine-degree scale represents a demonstration of the full strategy or subsystem in an environment akin to the real one. The paper states that the fresh tank should offer an optimal balance between mobility, firepower and protection, with fire power playing the most crucial function in this system.

FMBTPS does not specify the main weapon at this stage. However, an automatic charging and carrying of ammunition is required in adequate quantities for 20 clashes (presumably a minimum of 20 rounds). The main weaponry of the fresh tank is designed to effectively harm the best protected areas of the newest primary tanks from a considerable distance, allowing for a advanced probability of first hit. In addition, the main weapons should handle different types of ammunition, including programmable and training ammunition. Indeterminate additional weapons shall be capable of combating average and somewhat armoured targets.

Comprehensive protection

The fresh base tank is intended to have automatic detection, recognition and hazard tracking systems, supply protection to the crew against chemical weapons, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), anti-tank grenade launchers, HEAT anti-tank ammunition, ATGM-controlled anti-tank missiles, circulating ammunition, including improvised explosive charges fired from the air and unmanned FPV aircraft.

The tank is to be capable of resisting drone swarm attacks (to a limited extent) and have its own strategy of sighting and designation of unmanned vehicles. In addition, protection against kinetic weapons with a calibre of at least 125 mm, anti-tank APFSDS missiles, as well as against electronic weapons, energy weapons and cyber attacks is required.

The fresh European base tank should be equipped with an active Protection strategy (APS) and let the installation of additional passive or reactive protective devices. A strategy of fast masking of the position of the tank is besides required to disrupt the enemy's sight (e.g. smoke grenades).

Achievements and dimensions

Further requirements of EDF concern the velocity of the curated road (minimum 60 km/h) and in a diverse area (40 km/h). The average range, with the possible usage of additional fuel tanks, should be 600 km (minimum 350 km under combat conditions). A fresh tank is expected to request little than 35 s erstwhile driving 400 m from the stop.

Other method requirements include overcoming water obstacles (1.2 m deep without preparation, 2.25 m with preparation, over 5 m with crossing system), the ability to overcome ditches (minimum 3 m) and vertical obstacles (1.1 m). The full conflict mass of the tank (fully equipped tank with crew, ammunition, fuel, etc.) should not exceed 60 t, although an increase of 15% (i.e. 9 t) is allowed as part of future modifications. The dimensions shall not exceed 2,5 m high, 8 m long (without cannon) and 3.8 m wide. The clearance (the distance of the lower part of the hull from the ground) shall be at least 0,5 m.

The EDF-funded strategy requires the fresh tank to meet all transport requirements and restrictions on roads, railways, tunnels and bridges in the EU associate States and partner countries. The drive strategy is designed to reduce fossil fuel consumption and to take into account another solutions (hybrid drive), gathering fuel standards, exhaust emissions, etc. These requirements would only apply in peacetime.

New generation of tanks on the horizon

This year's Future Main conflict Tank Platforms Program Systems is not the first specified EDF initiative. In 2024, 2 global consortia, working on a fresh European base tank, MARTE (Main Armored Tank of Europe) and FMBTech (Technology for Existence and Future Main conflict Tanks), benefited from the European Defence Fund. The first consortium operates under the leadership of German companies KNDS and Rheinmetall (a group of 51 entities from 12 countries) and received backing of EUR 20,2 million. The MARTE task should be completed within 24 months, which is until the end of 2026.

In turn, the leader of FMBTech is French Thales, who cooperates with 26 institutions from 14 countries – including 3 from Poland (Research and improvement Centre of Mechanical Devices OBRUM, Military method Academy, Military Institute of Armoured and car Technology). FMBTech received a somewhat smaller amount from EDF for the implementation of its task (less than EUR 19,9 million), but the time allowed for implementation is 36 months. In addition, the German-French MGCS (Main Ground Combat System) program was launched in 2017, which is intended to make the successor (or successors) of tanks. Leopard 2 and Leclerc.

Americans are besides working on their next generation tank, who late announced the transfer of the U.S. Army's first prototype M1E3 platform. The first announcement shows that it will be a brand fresh tank in the Abrams family, rising alternatively of the abandoned M1A2 SEPv4 project.