25.05.20
Munich / Versailles / Düsseldorf
KMW, Nexter and Rheinmetall get the go-ahead for initial MGCS architecture study

Standing for Main Ground Combat System, MGCS is a joint Franco-German defence project. The programme, to be implemented under German political leadership, is tasked with developing a main combat system to succeed the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 and the French Army’s Leclerc starting in 2035.
Making the start of the MGCS procurement programme Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), Nexter Systems and Rheinmetall AG established an ARGE in December 2019. Now, the partners and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), acting in the name of Germany and France, have signed a contract for the “System Architecture Definition Study - Part 1” (SADS Part 1). This contract sounds the industrial starting gun for a MGCS Demonstration Phase.
At the Franco-German Ministerial Council meeting in Toulouse on 16 October 2019, the defence ministers of both nations, Florence Parly and Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, emphasized their commitment to developing the MGCS.

The ARGE is a German acronym standing for Arbeitsgemeinschaft, or “working group”. Under German law, the ARGE serves as the contractual partner of the procurement authority (BAAINBw) during the first phase of the programme. Officials of the three companies represent the ARGE vis-à-vis third parties.
The aim of the study is to harmonize the final MGCS concepts of the previous phase, to analyse further details, and to propose a common multi-platform architecture. The three contractual partners will assess various aspects of different concepts: technical feasibility in the projected timeframe allotted for the programme; ability to fulfil the operational needs of both armies; efficiency and compatibility with national “systems of systems” (SCORPION for France and Digitization of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) for Germany). Workshares in the SADS Part 1 are to be distributed equally between France and Germany on a fifty-fifty basis. The first phase of architecture work is expected to last 20 months.

These articles may interest you
04.11.24
KNDS France displays its innovative naval artillery systems
  • The RAPIDFire, remote controlled artillery system, a state-of-the-art low-level air defense solution 

  • The Narwhal, in service since 2005 continues to evolve

  • KNDS France and Naval group associate for the multi-purpose modular launcher (LMP)

EN

Read More

06.05.24
DSA 2024: KNDS France offers the CAESAR 6x6 to meet the needs of the Malaysian artillery units

KNDS France proposes the CAESAR combat proven artillery system to the Malaysian Army. KNDS France aims at fostering its status of preferred technology partner of the Malaysian Army and Industry through additional technology transfers. KNDS France also showcases at DSA its armoured vehicles, Air Defence solutions (including the RAPIDFire turret), a full range of ammunition from 20mm to 155mm and its robots.

EN

Read More

30.04.24
Industry to establish project company for MGCS

KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall AG, Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Thales welcome the agreement reached by the French and German governments on MGCS. They see it as an essential milestone in the development of a superior ground combat system for the armed forces of the future.

EN

Read More