The “Technologies for Current and Future Main Battle Tanks” (FMBTech) project, led by French defense giant Thales, has been officially launched as a major milestone for the European defense industry. This ambitious European project aims to fundamentally transform the design of current and future main battle tanks so that they can adapt to the changing dynamics of modern hybrid warfare. The initiative, officially announced by Thales, brings together a large consortium of 13 participating organizations from 26 European Union (EU) member states and Norway.
Major Support from the European Defence Fund
Supported by significant funding from the European Commission through the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the consortium’s own resources, this three-year strategic initiative will focus on developing innovative, modular and easily adaptable solutions to maximise the readiness of European forces in today’s diverse and complex battlespaces. The project will use state-of-the-art building blocks to overcome the limitations faced by existing and ageing armoured fleets in the EU and Norway, resulting in agile, intelligent and collaborative battle tanks.
Emphasis on Cooperation and Innovation in the European Defense Industry
In a press release issued by Thales on April 22, it was emphasized that the FMBTech project will position the European Union at the forefront of the latest defense technologies by promoting military innovation and further strengthening the strong cooperation between European defense organizations. In this way, the project will increase the combat effectiveness and safety of current and future battle tanks in a more cost-effective way, ensuring that these vehicles continue to play a critical role on the battlefield and significantly helping to close the potential gap with emerging 5th generation combat capabilities.
Scope and Participants of the FMBTech Project
The “Technologies for Current and Future Main Battle Tanks” (FMBTech) project involves a dynamic consortium of 26 key participating organisations from across Europe. It brings together 13 innovative Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and 8 prestigious Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) from 7 EU Member States and Norway. This diversity allows the project to draw on different areas of expertise and perspectives, enabling the development of more comprehensive and innovative solutions.
The Role of the European Defence Fund
The FMBTech project is a major initiative selected by the European Commission to be financially supported by the European Defence Fund (EDF) in 2023. The total budget of the project is a significant €19 million. The EDF is a critical tool created to support the European Commission’s research and development activities in the defence sector. The Fund’s main objectives include promoting cooperation between defence companies, including SMEs, and leading research and development organisations (RTOs) across the European Union, directly contributing to the development of Europe’s defence capabilities through strategic investments, and helping EU-based companies develop advanced and interoperable defence technologies and equipment. The FMBTech project is fully aligned with these key EDF objectives and is considered an important step towards increasing Europe’s competitiveness in the defence industry.
