Join us for this episode of Shephard Shorts as Sam Hart, Defence Insight Land Analyst, shares his observations on the evolving European main battle tank market from Eurosatory 2024 in Paris.
Sam discusses the significant impact of the Ukrainian war on the demand for main battle tanks in Europe. Countries like Italy can no longer afford to wait for the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) expected in the mid-2030s and are seeking immediate solutions. He highlights how this urgency is driving the market towards upgrades and new tank models.
Sam provides an in-depth look at the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 and the Leclerc Evolution as examples of interim solutions that can be implemented within the next few years. He also discusses Rheinmetall's KF-51, initially unveiled two years ago, now presented with a new form and larger turret, offering a cost-effective replacement option.
A key trend noted by Sam is the shift towards 140mm turrets, marking a significant change in Western tank upgrade programmes.
30 июн 2024
