Main Battle Tanks and AFVs in the Future of European Land Forces

What this report covers

Technologies: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data & Analytics, Autonomous Systems, Robotics & Swarms, Advanced Sensors, Radar, Lidar & Optronics, Command, Control, Communications, Cloud & Edge, Hypersonics & Advanced Missile Systems. A sourced, structured 11-page analysis for European defence and dual-use decision-makers, from the DFM research desk and built on official and primary sources.

About this report

This analysis highlights the persistent strategic relevance of main battle tanks (MBTs) and armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) in the evolution of European land forces, particularly in the context of high-intensity warfare scenarios.

Drawing from operational lessons in Ukraine, it confirms that armoured forces remain central to deterrence and combined-arms operations, while also exposing vulnerabilities of legacy systems against modern threats such as loitering munitions, anti-tank guided missiles, and persistent surveillance.

Key questions this report answers

• What do operational lessons from Ukraine reveal about the vulnerabilities of legacy MBTs and AFVs to loitering munitions, anti-tank guided missiles and persistent surveillance?
• Why do armoured forces remain central to deterrence and combined-arms operations despite these exposed vulnerabilities in high-intensity warfare?
• How can integrating tanks and AFVs with emerging technologies (active protection, sensors, autonomy) restore their survivability and battlefield relevance?
• What future requirements in doctrine, industry, logistics and policy must European land forces meet to modernise their armoured fleets, and what are the investment implications?

Inside this report

• Persistent Relevance of Armoured Warfare in High-Intensity Conflict
• Lessons from Ukraine: Employment and Vulnerabilities of Tanks
• Limitations of Legacy Platforms and the Need for Modernisation
• Integrating Tanks and AFVs with Emerging Technologies
• Future Requirements: Doctrine, Industry, Logistics and Policy

Who it's for

Strategy, corporate-development and investment teams that need an ecosystem-level view — budgets, industrial capacity and technology landscapes — before committing capital or capacity.

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Methodology, format & delivery

DFM reports are built from primary and official sources — TED procurement notices, CORDIS and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, EIB operations, the NATO Innovation Fund portfolio, SIPRI data, official budget documents and company disclosures — read together with the underlying legal texts. Sources are cited in the document; it reflects them as of its publication date (19 June 2025). You receive a 11-page PDF, watermarked to you on every page, delivered on the confirmation page and by e-mail immediately after checkout (personal link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). Guest checkout, single-user licence — Terms of Sale.

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More Strategic reports · Artificial Intelligence, Big Data & Analytics · Autonomous Systems, Robotics & Swarms · Advanced Sensors, Radar, Lidar & Optronics · Command, Control, Communications, Cloud & Edge · Hypersonics & Advanced Missile Systems · Free summary of this report · All reports

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