2025 land market review: British Army woes, European heavy armour and US MBT progress
The Leopard 2A8, by far the most popular tank in Europe in 2025. (Photo: KNDS)
The last year has seen several major procurements in the land market. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill reviews the main trends and themes in land procurement of 2025.
The land domain has experienced some significant changes over the past 12 months. The main focus across NATO and its allies has been on heavy armour, with hundreds of new main battle tanks (MBTs), infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) being acquired.
One of the more notable shifts is that it has not been a good year for the British Army. Its long-running Land Mobility Programme (LMP) has continued rolling on without a destination in sight. It was expected that this year would yield firm criteria for each subcategory and a contract award for the Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV)
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Arclin and BSST unveil lighter EOD suit]()
Eurosatory 2026: Arclin and BSST unveil lighter EOD suit
Summary: Arclin and BSST have developed a lighter explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit using Kevlar EXO technology to improve operator mobility while maintaining protection against fragmentation threats.
-
![Networked advantage: keeping unmanned systems in the loop with battlefield radio technology]()
Networked advantage: keeping unmanned systems in the loop with battlefield radio technology
Unmanned systems are powerful intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) assets and communication tools, but are often isolated from wider networks, limiting their potential. Industry is now tackling this challenge, empowering UxVs to act as integrated nodes across domains.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: What has become of the Main Ground Combat System?]()
Eurosatory 2026: What has become of the Main Ground Combat System?
The Main Ground Combat System has had a troubled life. With repeated delays and competition on the horizon, the programme may be approaching the end of the road.
