Germany on the 9th denied it had decided to withdraw from the Franco‑German
joint program to develop the next‑generation tank, after the French army chief
said a day earlier Berlin had quit the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). A
German defense ministry spokesperson said the two countries agreed months ago to
adjust the MGCS to incorporate lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but
that did not mean the project had failed. Germany said it remains committed to
equal partnership with France and that cooperation will focus on future
armoured‑combat technologies. The MGCS, launched in 2017, is intended to replace
France’s Leclerc and Germany’s Leopard 2 main battle tanks from about 2045.
