KNDS has unveiled CAPINT, a new interim main battle tank concept for France, at Eurosatory in Villepinte. The vehicle pairs an enhanced Leopard 2 A8-derived chassis from KNDS Deutschland with an uncrewed ASCALON turret from KNDS France, carrying a 120 mm smoothbore autoloaded gun.
The concept is aimed at bridging the gap for the French Army while MGCS slips toward the 2040s. KNDS is pitching CAPINT as a digitally open platform with counter-UAV protection and connectivity for robotic wingmen, with first units targeted for the 2030s. That positions France with a stopgap option, but not yet a procurement decision.