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We hoped to build the future tank in cooperation with Germany, but we must state that the Germans have unfortunately decided to withdraw from the project— We hoped to build the future tank in cooperation with Germany, but we must state that the Germans have unfortunately decided to withdraw from the project — said Mandon, quoted by the newspaper "Le Monde". #MGCS #czołg #wojsko (translated)

Joan Larroumec presented the tensions between France and Germany as a result of increasing competition, particularly in the defense industry. He indicated that Berlin planned military spending of €108 billion in 2026, compared to €57 billion for Paris, and nearly €140 billion in 2027. According to him, Germany was seeking to use these expenditures as a lever for economic transformation, while its historical industrial model was weakened. Larroumec notably cited the decline in German exports to China, which he claimed fell from €106 billion in 2022 to €81 billion in 2025, as well as a reduction of 142,400 jobs in the German automotive industry since 2019. He also wrote that German defense start-ups had received $3.5 billion in investments in 2026, compared to $375 million in France, and that Berlin had concluded a framework agreement with Helsing and Stark that could reach €4.3 billion. He estimated that this strategy heightened rivalries between the two countries and jeopardized their joint programs. He reported that Paris and Berlin acknowledged on June 8 that the SCAF could not be successfully executed, and that the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces announced Germany's abandonment of the MGCS tank program. He also mentioned competition in drones, artificial intelligence, and space, where, according to him, Germany was seeking to reduce France's position. Finally, Larroumec argued that France's financial difficulties limited its ability to invest in defense and risked weakening its industry. He stated that French and German interests were becoming increasingly misaligned and that this situation could lead to chaotic episodes in Europe. #France #Allemagne #Défense (translated)

Germany and France have abandoned the joint development of the future MGCS tank, turning to their own solutions due to delays and disagreements over the main armament, which represents a serious blow to European efforts to standardize military equipment. #vojni_projekti #Tenkovi #Francuska_Njemačka (translated)

It is finished in its initial form. But a turnaround and a catch-up operation a few hours later. Just before midnight, a statement from General Fabien Mandon provides some clarifications. This time, it is no longer a German departure from the project that is mentioned, but a "shift" in the program, with service commencement "delayed towards the end of the 2040s." According to the Chief of Staff, the MGCS "is continued and retains a major interest refocused on the development of enhanced connectivity, collaborative combat, automation, and robotization." So, is the MGCS dead? "It is finished in its initial form," states Paul Maurice, Secretary General of the Franco-German Relations Study Committee at Ifri (French Institute of International Relations). #MGCS #Défense #FrancoAllemand (translated)

The Germans have decided to withdraw from the project. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon, announced this Thursday the exit of Berlin from the Franco-German MGCS project on a future combat tank, before smoothing things over with a statement a few hours later. #MGCS #Défense #FrancoAllemand (translated)

The Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) project experienced a major turnaround after an initial announcement by the chief of staff of the armed forces, raising doubts about Germany's departure from the program, before a final statement clarified that it is merely postponed to the end of the 2040s. #MGCS #Défense #FrancoAllemand (translated)

David Lisnard believes that the SCAF and MGCS programs, launched in 2017 by Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel to develop the future combat aircraft and tank, are strategic and industrial dead ends. He criticized French leaders for prioritizing Franco-German cooperation without first verifying the convergence of military interests, technological mastery, and the distribution of industrial responsibilities. According to him, a high-level Franco-German seminar held on October 7 would have revealed a different method: starting from the needs of the armed forces and industrial interests, then allowing companies to build viable cooperations before giving them, if necessary, a political translation. Lisnard stated that during the negotiations on the MGCS, Germany was preparing for the succession of the Leopard 2, notably with the Leopard 3 project, and that the delay created a military vulnerability. He called for a break with a conception of European defense that, according to him, confuses cooperation with the dilution of sovereignties. He advocated for a distribution of roles in which the political power sets ambitions and means, the armed forces define their needs, and the industries develop solutions and partnerships. Lisnard also urged for the immediate preparation of the renewal of French ground combat capabilities, beyond the simple replacement of the Leclerc, notably by integrating armored vehicles, drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, and data management. He estimated that this required investments in industry, a recovery of public finances, and a more efficient use of military credits. Finally, he accused the current government of having caused France to lose valuable years and argued that the issue concerned its ability to prepare for future conflicts, ensure the security of the French people, and defend the nation. #Défense #Souveraineté #Coopération (translated)

Cerfia reported that the chief of staff of the French armed forces, General Fabien Mandon, had announced that Germany had decided to withdraw from the Franco-German Future Main Battle Tank (MGCS) project. The media described this decision as a major setback for military cooperation between Paris and Berlin, four months after the failure of the SCAF fighter jet project. #CoopérationMilitaire #France #Allemagne (translated)

— The result is not good. We hoped to build the tank of the future in collaboration with Germany, but unfortunately, we must admit that Germany has withdrawn from the project — said the Chief of Staff of the French armed forces, General Fabien Mandon, before parliamentarians during a hearing on next year's budget. #MGCS #Wojskowość #FrancjaNiemcy (translated)

The Germans have decided to leave the project. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, General Fabien Mandon, announces this Thursday, October 8, that "the Germans have decided to leave the project" of the MGCS, the Franco-German future tank program. #MGCS #Défense #FrancoAllemand (translated)