Rheinmetall-led consortium launches project for next-generation tank
A consortium of 51 entities from 11 EU Member States and Norway has launched the MARTE project to design a future Main Battle Tank system. The European Commission awarded the project approximately €20 million from the European Defence Fund.
The European defense sector has formally launched the MARTE project, aimed at designing the next generation of Main Battle Tank (MBT) systems to enhance technological autonomy. The initiative represents a strategic investment in Europe's defense capabilities amidst growing geopolitical uncertainty.
The project is coordinated by MARTE ARGE GbR, a joint venture between KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co.KG and Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH. The European Commission has granted the project approximately €20 million from the European Defence Fund (EDF) to support its study and design activities. The consortium includes 51 entities from 11 EU Member States plus Norway, and receives backing from 11 Ministries of Defense.
MARTE's objective is to develop a future MBT system that addresses current and future threats, incorporating innovative technologies to create a resilient defense solution. The project draws on lessons learned from recent conflicts and aims to meet the harmonized needs of participating European member states. The collaboration fosters cross-border innovation and leverages collective expertise.
In addition to the coordinating joint venture, the project involves five core defense companies: KNDS Deutschland, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, Leonardo SPA (Italy), Indra Sistemas SA (Spain), and SAAB AB (Sweden). Each of these companies leads one of the five technical work packages, with the remaining consortium members contributing specialized knowledge.