Tel Aviv: Israeli defence companies are conducting preliminary evaluations as to their options to participate in the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS).
The MGCS project is a collaborative effort between Germany and France, with the aim of developing a next-generation main battle tank system. The program is being led by a joint venture comprising KNDS (a merger of Germany’s Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and France’s Nexter), Rheinmetall, and Thales, with production slated to commence around 2045.
Israel has not been formally invited to join the MGCS program, despite the organisation’s stated willingness to include other countries like Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Poland. Israel is not a party to the project’s present agreements or structure.
Nonetheless, Israel and European countries have a history of defence cooperation. One example of a joint defence technology effort between Germany and Israel is the integration of Israel’s Trophy active protection system (APS) into Germany’s Leopard 2A7 tanks in 2021. Furthermore, although on a very small scale, Israel and France have exchanged defence-related goods.
Given these precedents, while Israel is not currently involved in the MGCS program, future opportunities for collaboration may arise, depending on evolving defence strategies and international partnerships.
A former general in the Israeli defence forces who talked on condition of anonymity said that Israel can contribute a lot to the European program. “The Americans say openly that the Israeli made Merkava main battle tank is one of the most advanced in the world,” he said.
“I anticipate that there will be political considerations in bringing Israeli technologies into the European program but if because of them, Israeli technology will not be integrated in the new system this will be a shame,” the former general emphasised.
Following the initial lessons from the ongoing war, the Israeli defence forces (IDF) plan to perform additional changes in the latest version of the Merkava 4 (Barak) main battle tank (MBT). According to defence sources, the new version of Merkava 4 “Barak” (Lightening) is equipped with an improved APS system and a commander helmet that prioritises the relevant data gathered by the tanks; own sensors and other in the battle area.
The new version also has a system that automatically fires on targets that pose danger to the tank, like units that launch anti-tank missiles.
An advanced main computer gives the tank’s crew the ability to focus on the most relevant targets while sharing the data with other tanks and other units on the ground and in the air.
Some of the new systems that have already been integrated into the “Barak” are based on the combat suit developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
The “Iron Vision” commander helmet, according to sources, has the capability to get a 360 degree view and as mentioned before combat data from the tanks; own sensors and others.
The sources added that the system has the ability to locate and destroy time-sensitive targets with small footprints, through quick acquisition and effective engagement of targets.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
