Exclusive: French Army Leclerc XLR Tank Integrates AI Commander’s Sight to Enhance Target Classification.

On March 28, 2025, KNDS France announced that the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement - French Army Procurement Agency) had formally authorized the integration of advanced AI (Artificial Intelligence) observation functions into the Commander's sight of the French Leclerc XLR main battle tank. These capabilities, developed under the MODVIS (Modernization of the Renovated Main Battle Tank Leclerc Sights) industry cluster, are powered by Safran Electronics & Defense’s Artificial Intelligence and promise a significant leap forward in battlefield awareness, threat detection, and target classification.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The French Army's Leclerc XLR main battle tank now features an AI-enhanced Commander’s Sight, improving battlefield awareness, threat detection, and target classification. (Picture source: French Army)

The Leclerc XLR is the latest modernization of France’s renowned Leclerc main battle tank, originally introduced in the early 1990s. The XLR builds on the Leclerc’s reputation for speed, maneuverability, and advanced fire control while introducing significant upgrades to armor protection, ammunition handling, digital systems, and situational awareness capabilities. By placing cutting-edge AI at the core of its sensor suite, the Leclerc XLR stands among the most sophisticated main battle tanks in the world, well-suited to confront evolving security challenges across diverse operational theaters.

The Leclerc XLR introduces several advanced technologies that distinguish it from earlier versions of the Leclerc main battle tank. Notably, it incorporates a remotely operated weapon station developed by Belgian company FN Herstal, equipped with a 7.62mm machine gun for enhanced close-in defense. The tank's protection has been significantly improved with additional modular armor on both the turret and hull, as well as rear wire cage armor to safeguard the engine compartment against rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). Furthermore, the Leclerc XLR is integrated into the SCORPION program, featuring a new open electronic architecture that includes the SCORPION Information and Command System (SICS), the Contact tactical radio system, and advanced night vision equipment. These enhancements collectively elevate the Leclerc XLR's survivability, situational awareness, and combat effectiveness, ensuring its competitiveness on modern battlefields.

Within the MODVIS cluster—where KNDS France and Safran Electronics & Defense act as co-contractors—the Commander sight is being replaced by Safran’s PASEO, a fully stabilized, multi-channel system capable of high-resolution imaging by day or night. Through advanced machine learning and high-speed data processing, PASEO’s onboard AI automatically identifies and classifies targets, filtering out background noise to focus on genuine threats. This leap in automation reduces the Commander’s workload and shortens the time from threat detection to engagement, enhancing both survivability and lethality on the battlefield.

Adding further depth to these AI-driven capabilities is the potential use of the MEGA APP platform developed by Belgian company IDDEA as an additional tool linked to the Safran solution. MEGA APP is specifically designed to enhance the identification and detection of military equipment on the battlefield, providing high-precision data that could be integrated into the Leclerc XLR’s sensor and targeting network. When connected with Safran’s existing AI algorithms, this complementary toolset would deliver a more comprehensive operational picture, enabling Commanders to make faster, more confident decisions when directing supporting fire or coordinating maneuvers.

With near-instant situational updates, the tank transforms into an information hub for allied forces—gathering, processing, and sharing intelligence in real time. This shift toward AI and data-driven systems also signals France’s broader commitment to fielding technologically advanced, operationally effective land forces—ensuring that its armored units maintain a leading edge in firepower, situational awareness, and adaptability amid the rapidly shifting dynamics of modern warfare.

Integrating AI technology into tank command and sight systems brings transformative benefits to modern armored warfare. AI-powered systems process inputs from multiple sensors—such as optical cameras, thermal imagers, and radar—to provide enhanced situational awareness in real time. By fusing data from these diverse sources, AI significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of threat detection and target recognition, even under challenging conditions like low visibility or cluttered environments. This rapid classification of potential targets helps reduce the risk of misidentification and fratricide, while advanced predictive analytics enable the forecasting of enemy movements, leading to more precise engagement. In addition to enhancing operational capabilities, AI automates routine tasks, thereby easing the cognitive load on human operators and allowing them to focus on strategic decision-making. The technology's ability to quickly process information also leads to faster reaction times and increased firing accuracy, contributing to the overall efficiency and survivability of tank units. Furthermore, real-time battlefield updates provided by AI support informed tactical decisions and facilitate seamless communication within network-centric warfare systems, offering both immediate tactical advantages and broader strategic benefits.

Adding further depth to these AI-driven capabilities is the potential use of the MEGA APP platform developed by Belgian company IDDEA as an additional tool linked to the Safran solution. MEGA APP is specifically designed to enhance the identification and detection of military equipment on the battlefield, providing high-precision data that could be integrated into the Leclerc XLR’s sensor and targeting network. Using MEGA APP from IDDEA, the Safran solution can be further enhanced with detailed detection of targets, offering exact identification of models and variants. This delivers a new level of engagement support for both the gunner and commander, supplying precise data on combat vehicles that improves target prioritization and decision-making in real time.