Eurosatory 2024 showcases groundbreaking tank innovations in Paris

The Eurosatory 2024 defense industry exhibition took place in Paris last week. This year's show was dominated by tanks, with several futuristic designs influenced by experiences from the combat in Ukraine.

At the fair, the Franco-German consortium KNDS showcased three new tanks: the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0, Leclerc Evolution, and EMBT ADT 140. The first is a proposal for a deep modernization of the 45-year-old Leopard 2, aimed at the Bundeswehr under the Leopard 2AX program. This tank features an unpersoned turret with a Rheinmetall L/55A1 120 mm cannon (which boasts a high elevation angle and can be replaced with another gun), an NG M230LF 30 mm cannon in a remotely controlled weapon station (for combating drones), and a single anti-tank missile launcher.

Interestingly, the machine gun was omitted. The turret is not exceptionally well-armored but equipped with the Rafael Trophy active protection system. The hull houses the entire crew, typically three members, but a fourth can be added to operate drones. The hull is armored, and the engine remains unchanged but can be replaced by a hybrid system.

The second tank from KNDS was the Leclerc Evolution. It is similar to the Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 but with a manned low-profile turret derived from the EMBT tank turret. The hull underwent identical changes to the Leopard 2 but didn't house the entire crew. The turret seems slightly better armored and has a high-performance active protection system called Prometheus.

The most exciting feature is the armament, consisting of an ASCALON dual-caliber gun (presented here in a 120 mm version) coupled with a 7.62 mm machine gun, two remotely controlled weapon stations (one with a 30 mm cannon for combating drones, the other with a 7.62 mm machine gun serving as the commander's sight), and a triple loitering ammunition launcher. This futuristic-looking tank is offered to France as a potential upgrade of the Leclerc.

The third vehicle is the EMBT ADT 140. It derives somewhat from the above two but is more futuristic. It proposes a deep modernization of the Leopard 2, serving as an intermediate vehicle between the tank's upgrade and the future revolutionary European MGCS tank. The hull is essentially a slightly modified Leopard 2, and the turret is a modified EMBT turret – unmanned and noticeably larger.

The armament includes an ASCALON gun (this time in a 140 mm version shooting telescopic ammunition) coupled with a 20 mm cannon and a remotely controlled weapon station with a 30 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun. The tank may be available in an optionally manned version and – if developed – will serve to test solutions planned for the MGCS. Armor supports Prometeus. The crew will consist of three soldiers, and the intended engine will be a hybrid.

Rheinmetall presented two Panthers competing with KNDS while also collaborating. The older KF51 is not much different from the configuration known from the previous Eurosatory, with mainly software updates. The only novelty was using the unmodified Leopard 2A4 chassis to emphasize that the innovative, although not very aesthetically pleasing, turret can be used for relatively easy machine modernization.

The chassis was not wasted; it went under a new, unpersoned version of the turret, designated KF51-U. This configured tank features a Rheinmetall L51 120 mm cannon, a 12.7 mm machine gun coupled with it, and a remotely controlled weapon station on the turret roof (with a triple-barreled 7.62 mm machine gun).

Three active protection systems—Elbit Iron Fist hard-kill, Hensoldt MUSS, and Rheinmetall ROSY soft-kill—enhanced the turret's armor protection. Interestingly, the turret's ammunition supply is the largest among the mentioned tanks: it holds 25 rounds compared to 18-22 in the other cases. Depending on the configuration, the crew will consist of three or four members and will be extensively supported by artificial intelligence. The intended engine will be a hybrid.

Additionally, the upgraded Korean K2 had its Paris premiere. It may not have looked as impressive as its European futuristic competitors, as it differed from the standard K2 known from the Korean and Polish armies only by using the Trophy active protection system, a drone jamming kit, modest additional armor, and a remotely controlled weapon station instead of a manually operated anti-aircraft machine gun.

However, the vehicle has an advantage. It is almost ready for production, and a similar configuration is expected in the K2PL, whereas the European futuristic cars are, at best, technology demonstrators, if not mock-ups.

Despite significant differences, specific trends regarding the near future of armored warfare can easily be identified. Expected points for the futuristic demonstrators include:

• optional use of a fourth crew member – drone operator (or other systems) instead of second-line ammunition storage;
• isolation of ammunition from the crew and placement of the entire (significantly reduced) cannon ammunition supply in a mechanized magazine in the turret bustle;
• use of an active vehicle protection system;
• enhanced drone protection;
• reduced passive turret protection;
• mass reduction compared to the latest Western designs (usually below 60 tons);
• extensive sensor arrays.

It is also noteworthy that the relatively frequent proposal of using a light 30 mm cannon as a supplement to the tank gun, often in the 130-140 mm caliber – since there are few cannon rounds, it is considered a waste to use them on lighter targets, is a significant trend. All tanks are also expected to offer the capability to engage targets at longer ranges than before, beyond the line of sight. The use of hybrid propulsion is taken as a given. It is unknown whether all these features will be shared with future tanks, but some solutions will undoubtedly be incorporated.

It is worth noting that these solutions did not emerge from nowhere. The widespread drone protection (reinforced roof armor, electronic warfare systems, hard-kill systems, and weapon stations capable of combating drones) is a response to experiences from battles in Syria and Ukraine. Although the actual effectiveness of FPV drones is significantly less than triumphant videos online suggest, they and submunitions from cluster munitions pose a noticeable problem.

The commonly proposed complete isolation of ammunition from the crew reflects demographic and cultural changes, focusing on better-protecting soldiers' lives. The frequent mention of artificial intelligence is a response to the increasing complexity of the battlefield—with a smaller crew having access to more means of destruction and information; digital support will be necessary to avoid overstimulation and fatigue. Hybrid engines align with the trend towards eco-friendliness and help reduce fuel consumption, thus decreasing the logistical "tail."

Besides tanks, the exhibition also featured uncrewed vehicles. These were incredibly diverse, ranging from tiny to medium-category vehicles (like HUNTER) and heavy vehicles (such as Milrem Type-X). Uncrewed companions for tank crews are a certainty for the future, akin to the serial character Sharik performing the most challenging tasks. While they may not become widespread immediately, it can be taken for granted that the future tank will be part of a system composed of human-crewed and uncrewed vehicles.