France and Germany reduce MGCS project to collaborative combat only (opex360.com)

• MGCS narrowed to collaborative combat research
• Safran/MTU engine cooperation terminated
• Germany pursues Leopard 2AX, France CAPINT

"The Franco-German Defense and Security Council (CFADS) meeting on July 17, 2026 in Brühl concluded without mentioning the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) as originally envisioned. Instead, the two countries will only pursue collaborative combat (combat cloud) research up to demonstration. The MGCS, launched in 2017, aimed at developing a family of armored vehicles but was stalled by industrial disputes after Rheinmetall joined. Germany has started the Leopard 2AX interim tank, France the CAPINT. Similarly, the SCAF air combat system was reduced to the combat cloud; engine cooperation Safran/MTU ceased."