168 words

Europe expands armoured forces

After years of limited investment in land warfare capabilities, European governments are upgrading and augmenting their armoured forces amid continuing tensions between Russia and NATO


MAIN GROUND COMBAT SYSTEM (MGCS): Franco-German MBT concept
Cage armour
Remote weapon station 12.7mm machine gun
Rapid smoke screen generators
Main gun: Requirement for new 130mm weapon and ammunition to counter Russia’s Armata tank
Modular armour Improved protection for turret and hull
Active defence system Sensors and countermeasures designed to thwart enemy projectiles
Firepower: 360° periscope with improved visibility, digital fire control and battlefield management system
Illustration shows Leopard 2 Advanced Technology Demonstrator

MAIN BATTLE TANK (MBT) PROJECTS
MBT types / Numbers
New procurement 
Upgrades
NATO members*
UK: Challenger 2 227
France: Leclerc 200
Germany Leopard 2 153
Poland Leopard 2 tbc 128

500km 300 miles
RUSSIA
Armata T-14
100
T-72: 150
T-80: 2,000
T-90: 400
UKRAINE
SYRIA
*United States, Canada and Iceland not shown

Sources: Jane’s Defence Weekly, Rheinmetall, The National Interest 

© GRAPHIC NEWS