Europe to Reinvent Main Battle Tanks for Hybrid Warfare with Launch of FMBTech Project.

On April 22, 2025, French defence technology leader Thales officially announced the launch of the “Technologies for Existing and Future Main Battle Tanks” (FMBTech) project. This landmark European initiative brings together 26 leading industry and research partners from 13 EU Member States and Norway, aiming to lay the technological foundation for the next generation of Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) tailored to the challenges of hybrid warfare and future battlefield dynamics.
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Illustrative Image: FMBTech is a European collaborative project aimed at developing advanced technologies for existing and future Main Battle Tanks, enhancing their performance, modularity, and readiness for modern hybrid warfare. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

FMBTech (Future Main Battle Tanks project) is much more than a research programme; it is a strategic vision for the future of European land combat systems. With legacy MBTs across Europe facing obsolescence in the face of evolving threats and operational requirements, the project sets out to develop a suite of cutting-edge, modular, and interoperable technologies. These innovations will enable both the modernization of current tank fleets and the development of a completely new MBT ecosystem, one that is intelligent, agile, and cooperative by design.

The three-year, €19 million project is co-financed by the European Commission through the 2023 edition of the EDF and by the participating consortium. The EDF serves as a catalyst for collaborative defence innovation within the EU, and FMBTech stands as a flagship project under this initiative. Its core mission is to engineer technological "bricks" — highly adaptable and scalable subsystems — that can seamlessly integrate into existing platforms like the Leopard 2 and Leclerc, while also serving as the foundation for entirely new platforms expected to emerge in the 2035+ timeframe.

These technology bricks will span multiple operational domains, encompassing next-generation protection systems, AI-driven situational awareness, enhanced mobility solutions, advanced communication networks, and electronic warfare resilience. By leveraging these capabilities, FMBTech aims to ensure that future MBTs can operate effectively in increasingly contested and complex environments. This includes integration into multi-domain operations and full compatibility with digital command and control infrastructures, reinforcing Europe’s operational and strategic autonomy.

What makes FMBTech particularly valuable is the diversity and strength of its consortium. It includes major defence contractors such as KNDS France, ARQUUS, MBDA France, and Safran Electronics & Defense, alongside advanced sensor and communication developers like Hensoldt France. The project also draws upon the technical expertise of key research and technology organisations (RTOs) and academic institutions, including the Politecnico di Milano, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, and several specialised military research bodies from Poland, Czech Republic, and Ireland. A strong presence of SMEs ensures that innovation remains agile, creative, and inclusive across the defence value chain.

In strategic terms, FMBTech is a precursor to broader European efforts like the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), aligning with the long-term goal of establishing a European-designed and -produced 5th-generation MBT. By laying the technological groundwork now, the EU is not only enhancing the immediate capabilities of its armed forces but also securing a leadership position in the global defence industry. The modular and dual-use approach of FMBTech also adds significant cost-efficiency and adaptability, two key imperatives in today’s fast-changing security environment.

Ultimately, the FMBTech project represents a critical investment in Europe's defence future — an effort to bridge the capability gap between today’s MBTs and tomorrow’s battlefield realities. It embodies a vision of a robust, interoperable, and sovereign European land combat capability that meets both national and collective defence needs. This is the kind of high-value, collaborative innovation that is essential not just for military superiority, but also for sustaining Europe’s defence industrial base in the years to come.