France considers reducing contribution to MGCS tank programme (defence24.com)

• Rheinmetall CEO warns of possible French withdrawal from MGCS
• France plans to cut funding contribution to less than half
• Only €25 million disbursed in nearly a decade
• Second major Franco-German defence programme crisis after SCAF
• Germany has Leopard 3 interim; France lacks alternative

"The Franco-German defence relationship faces another crisis after the collapse of SCAF. Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger warns of a French withdrawal from the MGCS main battle tank programme. The core issue is funding: France may cut its contribution to less than half of what was initially expected. Only around €25 million have been disbursed after almost a decade."