Exclusive Report: Discover New French Leclerc XLR One of Most Modern Battle Tanks in the World.

In an exclusive report by the Army Recognition team, the French Army Leclerc XLR main battle tank (MBT) marks a decisive evolution in France's armored warfare capabilities, representing the most comprehensive modernization of the Leclerc platform since its introduction in the early 1990s. This upgraded variant, part of the SCORPION (Synergie du Contact Renforcé par la Polyvalence et l’Infovalorisation - Synergy of Contact Reinforced by Versatility and Information) program, has been developed to ensure the tank remains operationally relevant on future battlefields by addressing the vulnerabilities of the original design and aligning it with the requirements of next-generation warfare.
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The French Army's new Leclerc XLR main battle tank unveiled with upgraded armor, digital systems, and enhanced firepower, making it one of the most advanced MBTs in the world.  (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

One of the most critical advancements in the French Army Leclerc XLR MBT (Main Battle Tank) is its enhanced protection package. The original Leclerc’s composite armor is now reinforced with modular add-on armor kits designed to counter contemporary threats including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and tandem-charge anti-tank missiles. The tank is also fitted with bar armor on the rear to offer added protection against shaped-charge warheads, particularly in urban combat environments. Moreover, its mine and IED protection has been dramatically improved through underbelly reinforcement, addressing one of the most pressing asymmetrical warfare threats.

In terms of firepower, the Leclerc XLR retains the formidable 120mm CN120-26 L52 smoothbore gun, which is capable of firing a wide range of NATO-standard ammunition including armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS), high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT), and high-explosive (HE) projectiles. The CN120-26 is known for its exceptional accuracy and long effective firing range of up to 4,000 meters when using kinetic energy penetrators. The fire control system in the XLR has been fully digitized and upgraded, enabling faster target acquisition, automatic tracking, and dynamic firing solutions even while on the move. With hunter-killer functionality, both the commander and gunner can independently acquire and engage targets, significantly increasing lethality in multi-threat environments.

The Leclerc XLR autoloader, a signature feature that distinguishes it from other Western MBTs, remains integral to the XLR. This 22-round carousel system enables a firing rate of up to 12 rounds per minute and allows operation by a three-man crew without compromising combat effectiveness. The autoloader is fully integrated with the new digital architecture, improving reliability, safety, and the ability to manage ammunition types dynamically based on combat scenarios.

A major enhancement in the XLR configuration is the replacement of the original manually operated 7.62mm machine gun on the commander’s cupola. It is now equipped with a remotely operated weapon station (RWS) developed by Belgian defense firm FN Herstal. This RWS can mount either a 7.62mm or a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, enabling the commander to engage ground and aerial threats with precision while remaining protected inside the armored vehicle. The RWS is linked to the tank’s advanced optronic sights and digital command interface, enabling effective day and night engagements.

The Leclerc XLR is also fully networked for modern combat. Its communications suite features the Thales CONTACT (COmmunications Numériques TACtiques et de Théâtre) software-defined radio system, which provides secure, high-speed, and encrypted voice and data communications across the battlefield. Integrated with the SICS (Système d’Information du Combat Scorpion) battlefield management system, the tank can share real-time tactical data with other SCORPION vehicles such as the Griffon multirole armored vehicle and the Jaguar reconnaissance vehicle, contributing to a unified digital combat environment. This level of connectivity allows for joint target acquisition, coordinated fire missions, and rapid response to changing threats.

In terms of mobility, the Leclerc XLR maintains the outstanding performance of the original Leclerc thanks to its V8X-1500 hyperbar diesel engine delivering 1,500 horsepower, coupled with a five-speed automatic transmission. Despite the additional weight from armor upgrades, the XLR still achieves high acceleration and a top speed of 72 kilometers per hour on road. Its hydropneumatic suspension system allows exceptional cross-country maneuverability, stability during firing on the move, and tactical flexibility across varied terrain. The power-to-weight ratio remains one of the best among Western MBTs, ensuring the Leclerc XLR can operate with agility in both urban and open battlefield environments.

However, one noticeable shortfall in the Leclerc XLR upgrade is the absence of any integrated active protection system (APS) specifically designed to counter aerial threats such as loitering munitions, attack drones, or top-attack anti-tank missiles. As battlefield drone use proliferates and threats from above become increasingly frequent and lethal, the lack of a dedicated countermeasure system such as hard-kill interceptors or soft-kill electronic warfare capabilities leaves the XLR exposed to one of the most rapidly evolving forms of modern combat. Although the tank's modular architecture may allow for future integration of such systems, their absence in the current configuration represents a critical gap in the vehicle’s otherwise comprehensive modernization.

As global conflict scenarios evolve and peer-level threats reemerge, the relevance of main battle tanks (MBTs) has only grown stronger. The French army Leclerc XLR tank exemplifies how a legacy platform can be transformed into a digitally integrated and highly survivable asset for modern warfare. For the French Army, the XLR is not just a technological milestone but a strategic asset that ensures overmatch capability, interoperability within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), and adaptability to hybrid and high-intensity combat. The Leclerc XLR affirms the continuing importance of main battle tanks as the centerpiece of armored maneuver forces, providing the shock effect, protection, and firepower essential to achieving decisive battlefield outcomes in the 21st century.