Army Minister Sébastien Lecornu has already warned: The next military programming law [LPM] will make “difficult decisions” that will have “serious consequences” for the “decades to come.” Pending the submission of this text, new contracts have recently been reported by the General Directorate of Armament [DGA]which can give an idea of future directions.
For example, on January 12, Nexter Systems announced that it had received an order for a new batch of 50 refurbished Leclerc tanks [standard XLR]which will therefore be added to the 50 that will be delivered from 2023. The contract was registered on December 29th.
This order has been confirmed as the DGA has just started qualifying tests for the Leclerc XLR in close cooperation with the Army Technical Section. [STAT]. The first 18 refurbished tanks are scheduled for delivery during 2023.
“Leclerc’s capability is essential to fulfill French commitments, particularly within NATO, in the context of tougher operations around the world. The Leclerc tank is indeed a key capability in the land environment, thanks to its firepower and great mobility”, underlined for its part the DGA, which recalls that a total of 200 tanks of XLR standard will be delivered. to the army by 2029.
As a reminder, it is one of the seven planned operations of the SCORPION program [Synergie du contact renforcée par la polyvalence et l’infovalorisation]the modernization of the Leclerc tank was launched in 2015 with a design order to Nexter.
It aims to equip it with the necessary equipment for an informative collaborative battle [SICS, pour Système d’information du combat de SCORPION, radio CONTACT] and adapting it to new threats by enhancing its protection against improvised explosive devices and missiles through the integration of jammers and a 7.62mm remote-controlled cupola. There is also talk of installing a new fire control, with the possibility of firing ammunition with effect or programmable trigger.
Perhaps in the future and as General Pierre Schill, the Army Chief of Staff [CEMAT]the Leclerc will have an active protection system, being replaced by the tank by 2040, which will come from the Franco-German MGCS program [Main Ground Combat System]… which is currently struggling to move forward.