European Main Battle Tank Development Project (FMBTech) Launched to Drive Future Tank Technologies
The Technologies for Existing and Future Main Battle Tanks (FMBTech) project has officially commenced, marking a major step forward in the development of next-generation European Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) designed to meet the demands of modern hybrid warfare.
Spearheaded by Thales, the project unites a consortium of 26 companies from 13 EU Member States and Norway, forming a pan-European collaboration to advance the technological foundations of future MBTs. The initiative is co-funded by the European Commission through the European Defence Fund (EDF 2023 edition) and participating partners.
Spanning a period of three years, FMBTech will focus on creating modular, scalable, and adaptable solutions tailored to complex, multi-domain battlefields. By integrating cutting-edge technological components, the project aims to deliver agile, intelligent, and networked MBTs capable of addressing the limitations posed by aging platforms across Europe.
FMBTech positions the European Union at the forefront of defence innovation, reinforcing joint capability development and strategic autonomy. The project is set to enhance the operational effectiveness, survivability, and cost-efficiency of both current and future MBT fleets, while laying the groundwork for seamless transition to fifth-generation capabilities.
About FMBTech
FMBTech is a European defence innovation programme bringing together a diverse mix of participants: 8 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and 7 Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs), spanning 13 EU countries and Norway.
The project was selected for funding under the European Defence Fund (EDF) 2023 with a total budget allocation of €19 million. EDF serves as the EU’s key instrument for supporting collaborative research and development in the defence sector. Its goals include boosting cooperation among defence industry players, especially SMEs and RTOs, driving investment in joint capabilities, and supporting the development of advanced, interoperable technologies.
Project Partners
- THALES SIX GTS FRANCE SAS – France
- ARQUUS – France
- C&V CONSULTING – Belgium
- CY4GATE SPA – Italy
- ENVIRONICS OY – Finland
- EIGHT BELLS HELLAS I.K.E – Greece
- GMV AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE SA – Spain
- GUARDIARIS RACUNALNISKE APLIKACIJE IN SIMULACIJE D.O.O – Slovenia
- HENSOLDT FRANCE SAS – France
- ISD AEROSPACE LIMITED – Ireland
- MBDA FRANCE – France
- MSM LAND SYSTEMS S.R.O – Slovakia
- KNDS – France
- OBRUM SP. Z O.O. – Poland
- POLITECNICO DI MILANO – Italy
- SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE – France
- SAVOX COMMUNICATIONS OY – Finland
- SCERTAS GMBH – Germany
- SKYLD SECURITY AND DEFENCE LIMITED – Cyprus
- SOPRA STERIA AS – Norway
- TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY – Finland
- THALES ITALIA SPA – Italy
- VETRONICS RESEARCH CENTRE EU LTD – Cyprus
- VOJENSKÝ VÝZKUMNÝ ÚSTAV SP – Czech Republic
- WOJSKOWA AKADEMIA TECHNICZNA IM. JAROSLAWA DABROWSKIEGO – Poland
- WOJSKOWY INSTYTUT TECHNIKI PANCERNEJ I SAMOCHODOWEJ – Poland
–adj/thales/mhi (Photo: Thales)