CAPINT: The French Interim Solution on the Path to MGCS

To the kick off of Eurosatory, the German-French defense company KNDS presented a major innovation for European land defense: the future main battle tank system CAPINT (Capacité Intermédiaire). Its development is based on merging cutting-edge French and German expertise into a single, joint product.

Orchestrating Complex System-of-Systems Capabilities

According to Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of KNDS, this system embodies the company’s strategic approach to orchestrating complex system-of-systems capabilities by networking the platform, sensors, effectors, and digital solutions to increase battlefield effectiveness. The project demonstrates KNDS’s ability to translate European industrial cooperation into concrete military capabilities for its customers. 

CAPINT for the Next Generation of French Main Battle Tanks

The CAPINT system represents a solution proposed by KNDS for the next generation of the French Main Battle Tank (MBT). It serves as a national French initiative to strengthen land forces while simultaneously paving the way for the future joint European land system, the MGCS (Main Ground Combat System).

CAPINT is designed as a multi-platform system that includes robotic escort systems alongside a central tank. An open digital architecture ensures scalability, connectivity, and adaptability to future technological developments. According to KNDS, the overall system combines advancements in firepower, counter-UAV (C-UAV) capabilities, protection, and mobility.

German Chassis and French Turret

Technically, CAPINT’s central platform combines an optimized chassis from KNDS Germany—derived from the Leopard 2 A8 and guaranteeing excellent mobility via an 1,100 kW diesel engine—with the unmanned ASCALON turret from KNDS France. This unmanned turret is equipped with a state-of-the-art, remote-controlled, and automatically loaded 120mm smoothbore gun. KNDS plans to deliver the first units of this system in the 2030s.

According to KNDS’s description, the integrated ASCALON weapon technology pursues a revolutionary approach to high-intensity warfare. It features a scalable architecture that allows a transition from the current 120mm NATO standard caliber to even larger calibers with increased performance if required. The system is based on already mature technical solutions and has fired around 300 rounds during testing. In January 2026, KNDS achieved a world premiere in Portugal with a successful dynamic firing campaign from a tank demonstrator equipped with the remote-controlled ASCALON turret.

KNDS cites superior performance and optimized life-cycle and procurement costs as key features of the ASCALON system. Since the weapon is fully compatible with existing 120mm NATO standard ammunition, user states can continue to utilize their current stockpiles while maintaining long-term interoperability within the alliance.

 Technical Description

The unmanned Ascalon turret platform allows the 3-man crew to be stationed in the hull. The 120mm L55 Ascalon smoothbore gun can be upgraded to a 140mm L48 caliber. The autoloader, with a capacity of 22 rounds, enables a high rate of fire. The coaxial 12.7mm machine gun has 300 ready-to-fire rounds. The ARX30 weapon station features C-UAV capability and is loaded with 150 rounds.

Next-generation vision and observation systems are designed for hunter/killer capabilities and can capture situational awareness all around the vehicle. In addition to next-generation passive and reactive protection, the defensive suite includes distributed active protection systems on the chassis and turret, hemispherical soft-kill coverage, laser/missile warning sensors, and acoustic detectors.

The tank is powered by an 1,100 kW powerpack and reaches speeds of up to 65 km/h on paved roads. Depending on driving style and terrain, its operational range exceeds 450 km.

Gerhard Heiming

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