The Franco-German consortium showcased its latest production tank, the unmanned turret demonstrator, and the upgraded version of the French Leclerc at its booth.
The Franco-German consortium KNDS took advantage of Eurosatory 2026 to reaffirm its leading position in the European main battle tank segment by showcasing its complete MBT (Main Battle Tank) portfolio at its stand: the Leopard 2A8, the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0, and the Leclerc XLR. Together, the three vehicles represent the different tiers of the company’s current offering, ranging from a production-ready tank to a technology demonstrator pointing toward the next generation.
What KNDS presented was a clear progression: a tank available today, a comprehensive modernization for a specific operator, and a technological bridge toward the future European main battle tank. Below is a closer look at what each platform brings to the table.
The Leopard 2A8 is the latest production version of the highly successful Leopard 2 family and, consequently, the product that KNDS currently offers to the market. Featuring its highest level of protection, state-of-the-art communications equipment, and the integration of an active protection system, it is the result of decades of cooperation with more than twenty Leopard 2 user nations.
Its commercial momentum remains strong. In recent years, several European armies have placed orders for this variant, while the Leopard 2 user base continues to expand through both new acquisitions and modernization programs. In this context, KNDS and GDELS agreed to promote the upgrade of the Spanish Army’s Leopard 2E fleet to the 2A8 standard, demonstrating the considerable growth potential that still lies ahead for the platform.
The second step in the lineup is the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0, presented by KNDS as a technology demonstrator and the company’s main innovation at the exhibition. Its defining feature is a remotely operated unmanned turret, a solution that relocates the crew—comprising three to four personnel—to a protected capsule inside the hull, significantly improving survivability against the threats found on today’s battlefield.
The main armament is fed by a modular linear autoloader capable of accommodating calibers ranging from 120 mm to 140 mm, centered around the Ascalon gun developed by the consortium itself. The turret also integrates a 30 mm secondary weapon and anti-tank missiles, while adding counter-drone capabilities. As KNDS had already anticipated when unveiling the model at Eurosatory 2024, the 2026 edition of the exhibition was chosen to present the system at a more advanced stage of development.
The third member of the lineup is the Leclerc XLR, the modernized version of the French Army’s main battle tank. Unlike the other two vehicles, it is not intended as an export offering but rather as a national modernization program aimed at upgrading the Leclerc fleet in terms of protection, communications, and integration into the SCORPION combat network.
The scope of the effort is significant. France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has ordered the modernization of a total of 200 tanks to the XLR standard, with deliveries scheduled in phases through 2030 and 2035. The work is being carried out at KNDS France’s facility in Roanne. In practice, the XLR will keep France’s armored force operationally relevant during the transition toward next-generation capabilities.
With this lineup, KNDS sought to underscore its role as Europe’s leading main battle tank integrator, covering everything from platforms available today to technologies paving the way for the future European tank. The company also used the exhibition to unveil a new next-generation concept, demonstrating the broad range of development efforts it continues to pursue as part of the MGCS program. For the time being, no new contracts specifically related to the showcased vehicles were announced, although further details regarding the progress of the A-RC 3.0 and the next steps of its development roadmap are expected in the coming months.
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