EMBT

EMBT
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originFrance
Germany
Production history
ManufacturerKNDS
No. built1-3 (prototypes)
Specifications
Mass61.5 t
Length10.45 m
Width3.85 m
Height3.24 m
Main
armament
Secondary
armament
  • 12.7 mm machine gun
  • 7.62 mm machine gun

EMBT (also E-MBT) is a French-German prototype of the enhanced fourth-generation main battle tank (MBT) developed and manufactured by the KMW+Nexter Defense Systems (KNDS). The tank was presented during the Eurosatory 2018,[1] and 2022[2]. The new version was presented during the Eurosatory 2024.[3]

First prototype tank was presented as European Main Battle Tank in 2018 and combines a Leopard 2A7 chassis with a Leclerc 120mm turret operated by only 2 crew members instead of 3 thanks to the autoloader. Since the Leclerc features a lighter autoloading turret, compared with the manually loaded Leopard 2A7, the EMBT is lighter and has a growth potential of around 6t.[1] Second prototype tank was presented as Enhanced Main Battle Tank in 2022 and features a 120-millimeter Ascalon main gun.[2] Third prototype tank was presented as EMBT ADT140 in 2024 and features a 140-millimeter Ascalon main gun with an autoloader and a coaxial 20×102-millimeter automatic gun and a remote controlled weapon station with ARX30 30mm x 113mm.[3] Tank features six anti-drone radars, four laser and missile warning sensors, an acoustic gunshot detector and provides 360-degree coverage of the surroundings for enhanced situational awareness.[3] EMBT also includes French Ministry of Defense's Prometheus active protection system, AI-enabled “SAFE” fire control system, an internally developed solution designed to assist the autonomous selection and queuing of weapon systems on board the platform to successfully prosecute targets in order of priority.[4]

The 2024 version will be further developed and is a kind of technology demonstrator for the Main Ground Combat System.[4] Expected to enter service in 2035, the MGCS will replace the European Leopard 2 and Leclerc tanks.[3]

  1. ^ a b defenceturkey.com (26 June 2024). "EMBT Showcased at Eurosatory 2018".
  2. ^ a b czdefence.com (26 June 2024). "European Heavy Military Equipment at Eurosatory 2022".
  3. ^ a b c d thedefensepost.com (26 June 2024). "KNDS Unveils European Main Battle Tank With Three Guns".
  4. ^ a b breakingdefense.com (19 June 2024). "KNDS debuts Enhanced Main Battle Tank technology demonstrator".