With Germany now providing Leopards to Ukraine and the US set to send its Abrams, attention is expected to turn to whether France will authorise the deployment of Leclercs. "The issue of assistance for Ukraine is not limited to this or that weapon."įrance has provided its state-of-the-art Caesar artillery system, Crotale air defence system and most recently pledged its highly mobile AMX-10 RC light tank among other weapons. "Regarding the Leclerc tanks, we are continuing our analysis with the armed forces ministry," Borne told parliament when asked on Wednesday.
The French Army has used the Leclerc to conduct overseas missions in Lebanon, Estonia, and Romania.The French tanks are comparable to the German-made Leopards, which Berlin agreed to send to Kyiv on Wednesday, but are available in far smaller numbers and would pose different maintenance and logistical challenges. It also integrated a 7.62-millimeter remotely-operated turret to support urban combat.Īdditionally, the tank is now fitted with a new fire control system, allowing operators to fire ammunition using a programmable effect or trigger. The recent upgrade includes enhanced protection against mines and rockets. It is operated by three personnel: a tank commander, gunner, and pilot. The Leclerc is a third-generation, 60-ton tank armed with a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun and a 12.7-millimeter coaxial machine gun. Nexter plans to deliver its first 18 upgraded Leclerc main battle tanks this year. It features the Scorpion collaborative warfare system - a digital backbone connecting vehicles for so-called “collaborative combat.” The contract was awarded amid continuing industrial qualification tests in close cooperation with the agency and the French Army.Īccording to the company, the first prototype tank was handed over at the end of 2022. The French defense procurement agency has ordered 50 upgraded Leclerc main battle tanks from local defense firm Nexter.
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