During our tour at the KNDS stand at EUROSATORY, the DEFENCE REDEFiNED team witnessed firsthand the novel Leclerc MBT variants aimed to lead the future of battle tanks in Europe.

Leclerc EVO

The tour started with an in-depth presentation of the Leclerc Evolution, which is a heavily upgraded version of the Leclerc battle tank. 

Leclerc Evolution (or EVO) integrates new manned turret design and weaponry. As shown, the most noteworthy addition is the Ascalon 120 mm main gun, which can be easily swapped with the monstrous 140 mm version.

The Ascalon 120 gun variant, with a L/58 caliber, has a combat mass of around 62 tonnes and features  the Azur armour kit for urban operations. The mass difference when equipped with the Ascalon 140 is very limited (+200 kg).

This main armament is supported by an autoloader capable of storing 22 ready-to-shoot rounds (Shard APFSDS), thus reducing the crew’s workload.

According to the company, the Ascalon 140 provides 40 to 70% more performance on targets versus the current 120 mm guns, while maintaining similar recoil forces. This feature renders the system integrable into existing platforms, such as Leopard 2. 

Also read: Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) and the participation of Greek company

A key feature of the Leclerc Evolution is the integration of the ARX 30 Remote Controlled Weapon Station, specifically designed for anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) warfare. Particularly, the ARX 30 is armed with the 30M781MPG gun chambered for 30×113 mm airburst rounds.

In addition, the tank bears a loitering munition launcher capable of deploying three medium-range loitering munitions. The idea is to exploit the core of the Leclerc MBT adding a 360° self-defence capability as well as stand-off firepower in the form of loitering munitions.

A new feature of the Leclerc Evolution is its four-member crew configuration, including a deputy commander. This addition aims to manage the increased information flow from the tank’s extensive array of sensors and effectors thus reducing the commander’s workload and enhancing the tank’s situational awareness capabilities.

From a survivability standpoint, the Leclerc Evolution offers comprehensive protection with its modular armor system, including a laser warning system, a hunter-killer acoustic system, the Trophy Active Protection System, the Galix grenade launcher system and a CBRN (against Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear agents) filtration system. 

The Leclerc Evolution also excels in mobility, as it is powered by a 1,500 hp MT883 KA-500 engine, reaching speeds of up to 68 km/h, with an operational range of 470 km. The platform, due to its 475 mm ground clearance, can be deployed also in challenging terrain.

The Leclerc Evolution which is currently under development, aims to be an intermediate solution between current tanks and the MGCS, therefore it is designed by exploiting state-of-the-art technology, so it can operate to new battlefield scenarios.

Also read: France | First upgraded Leclerc XLR delivered to the Army

Leclerc XLR

According to the latest Military Planning Law, the French Army should have 160 Leclerc Main Battle Tanks upgraded to XLR standard, by 2030. The last forty are due to be modernised by 2035, bringing the total number of battle tanks to 200. 

The Military Planning Law states that work for upgrading the tank and ensuring its long-term viability will be supplemented by the efforts to create a tank demonstrator, as part of the wider framework of the future Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). 

In this context, KNDS presented again at this year’s EUROSATORY (first time was on the 2022 edition) a new variant of the Leclerc XLR Main Battle Tank (MBT), which is being presented as a new generation of the already well-known MBT.

As part of the SCORPION programme, the modernisation of the Leclerc tank involves equipping it with the capabilities needed for collaborative combat. This involves among others the integration of the SCORPION Combat Information System (SICS), the BARAGE jammer optimised against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the CONTACT radio. 

It will also be fitted with enhanced protection kits against mines and rockets (anti RPG) along with CBRN filtration system. Finally, it encopasses the GALIX close protection system, new optronic sensors and a PASEO sight.

Regarding its armament, this variant is equipped with 120/52 mm smoothbore gun, which can fire programmable ammunition. The XLR is also equipped with a coaxial 12.7 mm machine gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun, while it carries an automatic loading system.

Also read: EUROSATORY 2022 | The Jaguar 6X6 as a potential option to replace the “ageing” Cascavels of the National Guard

With a combat weight of 57 tons, the XLR retains a balanced profile with dimensions designed for optimal combat characteristics: 9.87 m in length, 3.71 m in width and 2.53 m in height.

Equipped with a 1,500 hp SACM V8X-1500 Hyperbar diesel engine, paired with a SESM ESM 500 automatic transmission, this 3-crew configuration provides a maximum speed of 72 km/h on the road and 50 km/h off-road, with a power reserve of 615 km for day and night operations. 

The battle tank’s suspension system allows it to overcome vertical obstacles with a height of 1.25 m and cross trenches with a width of 3 m, while maintaining manoeuvrability in various areas of the terrain.

Further to its current deployment to the Balkans, Lebanon, and Eastern Europe (NATO Response Force), the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has ordered 100 Leclerc XLRs in two stages so far, with a first contract for the first 50 units awarded to KNDS France in June 2021, followed by a second, confirmed in January 2022. 

The first upgraded tank was handed over to the French Army last November. Since then, 19 others have followed, according to the Ministry of Defence. The 20th renovated tank (XLR) was delivered to the French Army on 22 May 2024. 

Also read: KNDS | Showcases full range of LEOPARD battle tanks at EUROSATORY