France to pursue own tank program after Germany exits MGCS project

France's Chief of Staff Fabien Mandon confirmed Germany's withdrawal from the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) tank project, urging France to launch its own studies by 2027. This marks a major breakdown in a flagship European defense cooperation effort, leaving France to develop a national solution. The move signals a shift in European defense industrial strategy and potential divergence in military procurement priorities.