Los principales países europeos han dado un renovado impulso al desarrollo de nuevas plataformas de combate terrestres o bien la modernización de las existentes. Desde el año 2014, Francia, Alemania e Italia comenzaron un programa conjunto denominado Sistema de Combate Terrestre Principal o MGCS (Main Ground Combat System), destinado al desarrollo y producción del “Futuro Tanque”. En ese marco y durante los últimos años, diferentes prototipos de nuevas plataformas (KF-51 Panther) o modernizaciones de las ya existentes (Leclerc – Leopard 2 A7) han ido surgiendo y están siendo son evaluadas. Es el caso de Francia, que dispone de su MBT LECLERC, en servicio desde 1993 y que ha tenido sucesivas mejoras. En relación con ello, el último “upgrade” del sistema denominado XLR, ha pasado las evaluaciones necesarias y se ordenó la fabricación de un lote de 50 tanques, con una proyección futura de 200 unidades hasta el 2029. Estas modernizaciones no impiden que el Programa Conjunto MGCS siga su curso,, para un sistema que se prevé estará operativo recién en 2040.
PARIS — On December 29, 2022, the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) ordered the renovation of a batch of fifty Army Leclerc tanks from Nexter Systems. One hundred renovated tanks have thus been ordered from the manufacturer, a first batch of fifty having already been notified in June 2021.
The renovation of the Leclerc tank, the design of which was entrusted in March 2015 by the DGA to Nexter Systems, aims primarily to integrate it into the Scorpion combined arms battle groups. To this end, the XLR, the first prototype renovated Leclerc tank delivered to the DGA on December 22, 2022, is equipped with alert and information resources common to Scorpion vehicles: vetronics, information and command system – SICS – radio Contact.
In addition, to adapt to new threats, its protection is reinforced against improvised explosive devices and rockets, and it is equipped with a remote weapon station operated from inside the tank. Its attacking capability is also improved thanks to the development of a new fire control system allowing it to fire programmable ammunition.
Qualification tests have started on the XLR and are being carried out in close collaboration with the Army Technical Section. The first eighteen examples of renovated XLR tanks, produced at the Roanne site, will be delivered during 2023. The renovated Leclerc tank will remain in service until the arrival of the future Franco-German land combat system Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) by 2040.
The Leclerc tank, a central and essential capability
The Leclerc capability is essential to meet French commitments, particularly within NATO, in a context of tougher operations around the world. The Leclerc tank is indeed a central capability in the land environment thanks to its firepower and great mobility. 200 Leclerc tanks should be renovated for the benefit of the Army by 2029.
The Leclerc tank is a third-generation 60-ton class main battle tank, manufactured by Nexter in Roanne up to July 2008. Its crew is made up of three operators: the tank commander, gunner and driver. It is armed with a 120 mm cannon. It is one of the rare battle tanks capable of firing on the move against stationary or moving target at ranges of up to 4,000 meters.
Entering service in 1993, the Leclerc battle tank has been deployed in various theaters of operations: in Kosovo, Lebanon, Estonia and now in Romania. Nexter has ensured its maintenance in operational condition in the Army’s training parks since the award in 2010 of verticalized maintenance contracts.
