Europe looks to solve tank procurement challenges with upgraded and new platforms
Poland has opted for South Korea’s K2 MBT. (Photo: Polish Operational Command)
The UK government in 2019 reflected a common attitude towards main battle tanks (MBTs) across Western Europe as it moved to reduce its fleet from 227 Challenger 2 vehicles to 148, which would be upgraded under a plan that eventually produced the Challenger 3. Now, however, there is an increased interest in platforms new, upgraded and planned across the continent.
Across Western Europe and NATO countries there is a renewed interest in MBTs, with nations looking to spend some of their increased defence budgets or one-off spending boosts on heavy armour.
France began the serious job of cutting its armoured brigades during the 2010s, and of the 406 Leclerc MBTs it received, fewer than 240 remain in service, although like the British Challengers there is a plan to upgrade to Leclerc XLR standards.
Many countries are looking to extend the life and expand the capabilities of their tanks as the newest generations of MBTs are at best a medium-term prospect, but
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