Europe is investing 150 million euros in the development of next-generation tanks and long-range rocket artillery.
The EU has approved €150 million for the development of a new generation of tanks and long-range rocket artillery with a range of 499 km, aimed at strengthening defense capabilities and reducing dependence on US equipment.
The European Commission (EC) has officially approved the allocation of €150 million from the European Defence Fund (EDF) for research and development of new main battle tanks and multiple rocket launcher systems. This is part of the sixth phase of the EDF project, focused on modernizing armored forces and developing independent artillery firepower, reducing reliance on US military platforms.
Technical standards for Europe's future tanks.
The current phase of the project focuses on designing and manufacturing combat vehicle prototypes based on stringent specifications proposed by France and Germany. The core objective is to create a line of tanks that optimally combines protection, maneuverability, and superior firepower. Notably, the parties are planning to adopt a completely new approach to armored vehicle manufacturing.
In terms of weaponry, future tanks will integrate advanced automatic loading systems, compatible with at least 20 different types of ammunition for a variety of combat objectives. Secondary weapon systems will also be emphasized to counter lightly armored targets and, in particular, to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) – a major threat on the modern battlefield.
To enhance survivability, the new tanks will be equipped with active protection systems (APS), direct UAV interception systems, defensive missiles, and electronic warfare countermeasures. Currently, within the EU, only Germany maintains a complete tank production cycle. Therefore, France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom are actively seeking cooperation to develop a common platform for re-equipping their ground forces.
Current situation and urgent need for armored forces.
The size of tank fleets in many European countries is currently low, while supporting technical infrastructure is severely lacking. For example, in France, the army is maintaining 200 Leclerc tanks by dismantling parts from reserve vehicles to ensure combat readiness for four main regiments.
The situation in the United Kingdom is no better. Although it possesses 228 Challenger 2 tanks, it has only been able to modernize 147 of them to the Challenger 3 standard. The main reasons are the deterioration of the hull and a severe shortage of replacement parts, forcing it to utilize parts from other older tanks.
Next-generation rocket artillery: A counterpart to HIMARS
Alongside the tank project, a portion of the budget is allocated to developing a domestic multiple rocket launcher system (MLRS). This is seen as Europe's effort to compete with the dominance of the US HIMARS system in the global arms market. The new system is designed on a modular platform, is scalable, and focuses on high-precision attack capabilities.
This MLRS system is capable of operating effectively even in environments with strong GPS interference. Developers prioritized optimizing firing preparation time and accelerating reload cycles to increase survivability against counter-fire. Notably, the system is expected to be able to engage targets at distances up to 499 km when using specialized missiles, opening a new chapter in Europe's long-range combat capabilities.
