Nexter, Safran Secure Contract for Leclerc Tank Sight Modernization

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has awarded a contract to the temporary group of companies (GME) comprising Nexter, a KNDS company, and Safran Electronics & Defense for the modernization of the sights on the renovated Leclerc tank.

The primary goal of this initiative is to update the "observation" function of the tank to meet the evolving demands of the contemporary battlefield, KNDS said in a statement.

Under the contract, Nexter and Safran will develop and integrate new sights for both the tank commander and gunner. These sights play a critical role in detecting, identifying, and targeting objectives several kilometers away before engaging them. The collaboration incorporates the PASEO sight to address the challenges of modern warfare.

Technological upgrades involve digitizing the optronic heart of the Leclerc tank's surveillance system to enhance the "observation" function in response to emerging threats. The analog video control is being replaced by a digital video control system, offering increased data flow and delivering high-quality images in all conditions.

The gunner's sight is undergoing modernization with the integration of the latest-generation optronic sensors and new electronics. Simultaneously, the main viewfinder is being replaced by a PASEO viewfinder, designed for panoramic observation and engagement in diverse conditions, already utilized on the JAGUAR armored vehicle.

To facilitate communication between the tank commander and the PASEO viewfinder, OPT-Sys, a KNDS company, is providing the digital monocular for the command post. Equipped with SCORPION vetronics, reinforced protection, a new remotely operated turret, and the latest generation sights, the renovated Leclerc tanks aim to address a variety of threats from their production start in 2023 until their entry into service in 2035.