The Technologies for Existing and Future Main Battle Tanks (FMBTech) project, officially launched in November 2024 under the European Defence Fund, has now held its second General Assembly with the presence of the Commission Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) and both French and Polish Ministries of Defence (MoDs). Just one year on, the consortium has already strengthened the project’s Concept of Operations, refining the use cases that will further advance FMBTech’s mission.
The project successfully concluded its first phase in April . To continue advancing into the second phase of the project, the consortium held its second General Assembly on 3 November in Warsaw. This General Assembly served as a key checkpoint, allowing the consortium to reflect on the start of Phase 2 , draw lessons, and align on the next steps. The event was hosted by Obrum, the Polish Research and Development Centre for Mechanical Equipment, at the Warsaw School of Economics.
Throughout the first year of the project, the consortium has laid a solid foundation for the project’s development, achieving a number of key deliverables, now accepted by the European Commission, that underscore the strength and potential of the initiative. These deliverables explored how to enhance the information delivery to the human factor on the MBT , for quicker and more ethically sound decisions. Additionally, it has strengthened the Concept of Operations, supporting the use cases that help advance FMBTech’s mission.
The General Assembly in Warsaw offered the FMBTech consortium the ability to meet in person to discuss the work that has been achieved so far. It also offered the possibility to engage with supporting MoDs with which the project holds a close relationship, as the end users are at the core of this initiative.
The meeting gave the consortium the opportunity to reiterate its commitment to continue working towards enhancing the effectiveness, safety, and cost-efficiency of both existing and future MBTs , ensuring they remain pivotal assets on the battlefield while bridging the gap to emerging 5th -generation capabilities.
Over the course of this 36-month initiative, the project will develop modular and adaptable solutions designed to ensure operational readiness across diverse and complex battlefield environments.
This European project aims to revolutionise Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) for modern hybrid warfare . Coordinated by Thales SIX GTS France , the initiative brings together a consortium of 26 companies, including Guardiaris, from 13 European Union (EU) Member States and Norway . Funded by the European Commission under the European Defence Fund (EDF, 2023 edition).
By utilising innovative Technology Bricks , the project intends to build a future of agile, intelligent, and cooperative MBTs, addressing the limitations of ageing fleets in the EU and Norway. FMBTech positions the EU at the forefront of advancing cutting-edge defence operational ground capabilities and technologies, reinforcing military innovation and collaboration within European defence.
About FMBTech An European Consortium with 26 participating entities, FMBTech features 8 SMEs and 7 RTOs from 13 EU Member States and Norway.
The FMBTech project was selected by the European Commission for funding under the European Defence Fund (EDF) in 2023. The project has been allocated a total budget of €19 million.
The EDF is the Commission’s instrument for supporting research and development actions in the defence sector. Its main objectives are to foster cooperation between companies, including SMEs, and Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) throughout the Union, to promote the development of defence capabilities through investment, and to help EU companies develop advanced and interoperable defence technologies and equipment.
FMBTech is a development project funded by the European Union under Grant-Agreement n. 101168026, awarded through European Defence Fund (EDF) in 2023. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only.
