The French Armament Directorate (DGA) has placed an order for the renovation of 100 additional Leclerc XLR tanks, bringing the total number of upgraded units to 200.
This follows previous orders placed in 2021 and 2022 for 50 tanks each year. The 34th renovated XLR tank was delivered to the French Army on December 10, 2024.
The renovation work, taking place at the KNDS France site in Roanne, Loire, aims to extend the Leclerc tank’s service life until the arrival of the future Main Ground Combat System (MGCS). Under the framework of the French military programming law (LPM) 2024-2030, the DGA plans to complete the renovation of 160 Leclerc tanks by 2030, with an additional 40 to be upgraded by 2035.
Integrated into the SCORPION military program, the renovated tanks are capable of sharing real-time tactical information with other vehicles such as the Griffon, Jaguar, and Serval. This is achieved through the SCORPION combat information system (SICS), new CONTACT software radios, and GPS systems.
In addition to technological upgrades, the XLR tanks benefit from enhanced protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines, and rockets, thanks to the installation of the BARAGE jammer and new overprotection kits. The tanks have also seen improvements in firepower, with a new fire control system enabling them to fire new types of ammunition. Furthermore, a remote-controlled turret kit, developed through the Franco-Belgian CaMo military partnership, is now integrated into the tanks.
The tanks' combat effectiveness is further enhanced by the planned integration of new digital sights for the gunner and tank commander by 2028. These upgrades will ensure that the Leclerc tanks remain operationally effective in the coming years, as the French Army anticipates the deployment of the MGCS.
The Leclerc tank, which entered service in 1993, is a third-generation 60-ton combat vehicle. It is equipped with a 120mm cannon, capable of firing at targets up to 4,000 meters away while the vehicle is in motion. The tank’s crew consists of three operators: a tank commander, a gunner, and a driver. The tank’s automatic loading system contributes to its operational efficiency in battle.