Several European countries have launched the Technologies for Existing and Future Main Battle Tanks (FMBTech) project to “revolutionize” main battle tanks (MBTs) and adapt them to the evolving demands of modern hybrid warfare.
The three-year program addresses limitations in current MBT fleets, improving the performance, protection, and cost-efficiency of both existing and next-generation MBTs.
It will deliver scalable technological components to support integration into evolving military systems and future 5th-generation capabilities.
Thales will lead the initiative, which brings together a consortium of 26 companies, including small and medium-sized businesses as well as research and technology organizations from 13 European Union member states and Norway.
“FMBTech positions the EU at the forefront of advanced, cutting-edge defense technologies, reinforcing military innovation and collaboration within European defense,” stated Thales.
The FMBTech project was selected in 2023 for funding under the European Defence Fund (EDF), which allocated a budget of 19 million euros ($21 million) to support the initiative.
The EDF is a European Commission instrument designed to support joint defense research and development efforts within the EU.
It aims to enhance cross-border collaboration among industry and research actors, focusing on fostering technological innovation and interoperability in the defense sector.
To cover several initiatives, the EDF has a total budget of approximately 7.3 billion euros ($7.8 billion) from 2021 to 2027.
Of this, 2.7 billion euros ($2.9 billion) is designated for joint defense research, while 5.3 billion euros ($5.7 billion) is set aside for collaborative development of defense capabilities that supplement national efforts.
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