France rejects plan to build new Leopard 2 successor tank

Germany is looking for a successor to the Leopard 2 tank. Photo: Michael Sohn/ap

It looks like the German has neglected France. The coalition-led is developing a next-generation battle tank in Europe.

Berlin has signed an agreement with Sweden, Spain and Italy to create a successor to its Leopard 2 tank, according to German financial newspaper Handelsblattthe.

The deal could mean the end of a Franco-German agreement signed in 2017 to develop their own tank, which will eventually replace the Leopard 2 and the French Leclerc.

This would be a nasty blow for President Emmanuel Macron after Australia has pulled out of a £72.8 billion deal to buy French diesel-powered submarines in favor of British and American ships.

As part of a new German initiative, weapons makers Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall will team up with Swedish Saab, Italian Leonardo and an unnamed Spanish firm to develop a new tank.

They hope to get more than a euro. £100m (£85.7m) from the EU's European Defense Fund.

It is not known if UK firms will be drawn into the scheme following a joint partnership between Berlin and London to produce munitions. for battle tanks.

The Franco-German project was accompanied by disputes over specifications and delays, and both sides are reportedly still hoping to agree on a project by the end of the year.

Paris reportedly favored a lighter tank with more maneuverability. which would be easier to airlift overseas for its campaigns in Africa.

Berlin wants to focus on a more heavily armored, highly survivable tank like its Leopard 2 for a potential war with Russia.< /p>

In July, French and German defense ministers said efforts to harmonize capabilities were still ongoing.

Germany's decision to sign a new pan-European partnership will be seen as a setback in military procurement cooperation with France.

Spain, France and Germany are also working on developing a new fighter aircraft capable of replacing existing aircraft fleets by 2040.