Nexter, the leading French land defense company, signed a teaming agreement with International Golden Group (IGG), the leading supplier of the UAE Armed forces, to prepare the modernization of the UAE Army's Leclerc main battle tanks (MBT).
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Leclerc MBT of the UAE armed forces in a dynamic demo at IDEX 2023 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

International Golden Group (IGG) and Nexter established a long-term relationship since 2006 via a Cooperation Agreement. This teaming agreement is a new step towards a reinforcement of the links between both companies.

Nexter and the UAE: 30 years of partnership

Nexter is a historical partner of the UAE armed forces since the order of 436 Leclerc main battle tanks in 1993: 388 combat tanks, 46 recovery tanks (ARVs) and 2 driver training tanks. Deliveries started in 1994 and were completed in 2004 (the combat tanks slightly differ from the French model, weighing some 500kg more because of the local specifications required). 14 MBTs were modernized/upgraded between 1995 and 2008.

As the responsible entity for the support of the Leclerc fleet, Nexter established a long-term relationship with the UAE. Today, the group is actively working on the localization of industrial activities. Hence, the aim of this partnership is the modernization of the Leclerc MBT which will ensure the operational superiority of the UAE armed forces for the next 30 years. IGG thus becomes Nexter's emerging partner for the Leclerc tank, like Resource Industries becomes Nexter's emerging partner for wheeled vehicles.

The Leclerc is a third-generation French main battle tank developed and manufactured by Nexter Systems. It was named in honor of General (later promoted a Marshal) Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque, the commander of the 2nd Armored Division of the Free French Forces in World War 2. The Leclerc is in service with the French Army, the Jordanian Army and the United Arab Emirates Army. In production since 1991, the Leclerc entered French service in 1992, replacing the AMX-30 as the country's main battle tank. With production now complete, the French operate 222 Leclercs (with 184 more in storage, for a total of 406). 200 of them will be upgraded to the XLR standard.

Leclerc MBT of the UAE armed forces on Nexter/KNDS' stand at IDEX 2023. In the background: CAESAR self-propelled howitzer (Picture source: Nexter)